Doctors in Gaza are warning that health services are on the brink of collapse unless Israel allows the resumption of fuel deliveries into the Palestinian enclave.
Last week, Israel’s military operation in the southern Rafah area, where two main aid crossings are located, led to the cutoff of fuel, food, and humanitarian aid supplies to Gaza.
The closure of the Karam Abu Salam commercial crossing from Israel into southern Rafah has now prevented aid from entering Gaza for a seventh consecutive day, according to Gaza’s Crossings and Borders Authority.
Deliveries through the Rafah crossing from Egypt, the sole entry point for fuel, have also ceased after Israeli troops took control of it.
Dr. Raed Hussain, director of Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, stated that without fresh fuel supplies, the hospital can only continue operations for another 48 hours. The hospital needs around 3,500 liters of fuel daily to operate its generators.
The population in central Gaza has rapidly increased due to people fleeing Israeli bombardments and military advances, reaching 800,000 from the previous 400,000. This overcrowding has heightened the need for more healthcare services and increased hospital capacity.
UNRWA reported that about 280,000 people have left eastern areas of Rafah, and thousands have begun leaving the Jabilia camp in northern Gaza on the army’s orders.
Tamara Al Rafie, UNRWA’s director of communications, stated that aid remains scarce as the Rafah border area remains closed, with only a few lorries able to get through. She emphasized the acute shortage of food, tents, fuel, and medicines.
Salim Oweis, spokesman for UNICEF, stated that aid is running out with each passing day of Rafah’s closure. The delivery of 200,000 liters of fuel by Israel came after the UN highlighted the lack of stock hindering relief operations.
Mr. Oweis stressed the urgent need for aid to prevent risking thousands of lives across Gaza. He called for more aid to be allowed in and for the siege on aid entry to be lifted.
Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator at OCHA, Joyce Msuya, called on Israel to allow safe and rapid access for humanitarian aid. She emphasized the need for multiple reliable entry points for aid and the protection of humanitarian workers.
Dr. Hussain stated that his hospital, the only one serving central Gaza, had increased its beds for urgent cases from 180 to 600, adding pressure on its staff.
Residents reported Israeli troops advancing on the Jabilia camp under heavy artillery, helicopter, and drone fire, with risks of being fired upon if venturing out of their homes. Residents expressed reluctance to leave their homes due to the dangers outside.
