Gaza: Al Shifa Hospital Under Siege, Without Fuel or Power
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Sulaiman
- . November 14, 2023
- . Update: November 14, 2023 1:32 pm
Al Shifa hospital, which has been surrounded by Israeli forces since late last week, is under siege. There hospital’s morgue is full and without power to keep the bodies cool, corpses are on the courtyard and the facility has run out of white body bags.
The World Health Organization said Israeli tanks are just meters from the hospital entrance, and health workers have been unable to collect the bodies because of Israel attacks. Reports say Israel has deployed air power in occupied towns and cities, including Jenin.
WHO also said that several new born babies have died and dozens more are at risk at Al Shifa hospital. More than 1.6 million Palestinians have been displaced in Gaza, and more than 11,000 have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 7. Hamas continues to hold 239 people hostage.
Dead Bodies Everywhere in Al Shifa
Munir al-Boursh, Palestinian health ministry undersecretary, said they are under siege. He said the facility intended to dig a mass grave until Israeli tanks and snipers encircled the complex on Friday, making movement impossible.
“There are 110 dead bodies in front of the hospital, some in the refrigerator which isn’t functioning, and some just in the open space in front of the emergency unit. This could become a source of disease. No one can get out or come inside, it’s too risky. Israeli forces said there was a safety corridor through the eastern gate so people could exit and some people did try to get out that way. But there was shooting right in front of them, and they were so scared that they turned back.”
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Health Crisis in Gaza Hospitals
Medical staff, as per Palestinian Health Ministry, is terrified that deaths among the patients could rise. Dozens in the intensive care unit of Al Shifa Hospital were at risk of death, including 45 patients on dialysis machines. There are no generators as it needs fuel to function. There is no food, no water, no electricity and no fuel in Al Shifa.
Nidal Abuhadrous, the head of neurosurgery at Al Shifa, said patients are dying at a higher rate than before. “The situation in Al Shifa is extremely difficult and dangerous. There is continuous shooting and bombing around. The hospital is not functioning as a hospital anymore.”
The medical staff is urging for a safe corridor to leave the hospital with the patients, guaranteed by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
