Palestinian Health Ministry declares collapse of health system in Gaza

Palestinian Health Ministry declares collapse of health system in Gaza

The healthcare system at hospitals in the Gaza Strip has totally collapsed due to the ongoing Israeli aggression, the Palestinian Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

“Hospitals in Gaza have totally collapsed due to the Israeli war,” ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said in a press conference.

“Twelve hospitals and 32 healthcare centers were forced out of service,” al-Qudra said. “We are afraid that many more will stop operations in the coming hours due to lack of fuel.”

He said 65 medics have been killed and 25 ambulances have been destroyed in Israeli strikes since Oct. 7.

According to the spokesman, Gaza’s death toll from the ongoing Israeli airstrikes climbed to 5,791 people.

“The victims include 2,360 children, 1,292 women, and 295 elders,” he said, adding that 16,297 people were also injured.

“Children, women and elders make up around 70% of the victims,” al-Qudra said.

The spokesman also said around 1,550 people are reported to be trapped under the rubble, including 870 children.

“The Israeli occupation committed massacres against Palestinian families in past hours that left 305 children, 173 women, and 78 elders dead,” he added.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) called for an unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, trapped in a humanitarian crisis after two weeks of intense Israeli attacks.

“We call for an unimpeded and continuous flow of humanitarian assistance and medical assistance to continue coming into Gaza,” said Tamara Alrifai, spokesperson for UNRWA.

“The trucks that have come in so far are just a trickle in the face of the immense needs of people on the street.”

Source: Palestinian Media Center