Hospitals at ‘breaking point’: How Israel-Hamas war has plunged Gaza into humanitarian crisis

Palestinians who fled their homes amid Israeli strikes, shelter in a United Nations-run school, in Gaza City October 8, 2023. (Photo: REUTERS)

Out of the 2.3 million residents of the strip, that Israel has sealed off in retaliation to the recent attacks by the Hamas, 338,000 people have been displaced till the end of the 6th day of the conflict. Of the total displaced population, 220,000 have been provided shelter in 92 of the schools run by the UN agency.

At least 88 education facilities have been struck by attacks by Israel, including 18 UNRWA schools and 70 Palestinian Authority schools.

With this, 6,00,000 children in Gaza have had no access to education in a safe place for the sixth consecutive day.

Palestinians who fled their homes amid Israeli strikes, shelter in a United Nations-run school, in Gaza City October 8, 2023. (Photo: REUTERS)

Expressing concerns over swiftly running out stocks for food assistance, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has also called for urgent access to aids.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the hospitals in Gaza are “at a breaking point”. Operating with just a few hours of electricity each day, they are being forced to limit depleting fuel reserves to continue with just “the most critical functions” in overcrowded areas. Acute shortages of medical supplies are adding up to the crisis, straining the response capacity, the UN health agency stated.

Water supply to the closed enclave has also been halted putting the people trapped there at immense risk. According to the UN, around 50,000 pregnant women are residing in Gaza without any access to essential health services including clean water and medical supplies. About 5,500 of these women are expected to give birth in the coming month.

Palestinian children who fled their homes amid Israeli strikes, shelter in a United Nations-run school, in Gaza City October 8, 2023. (Photo: REUTERS)

The rights experts have warned of the “inescapable risk of starvation” faced by the people living in Gaza and said “intentional starvation is a crime against humanity”.

The death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza rose to 1,537 and injured to 6,612 people, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said Thursday. Of those killed, 500 were children.

Devastation of Gaza in numbers

Deaths: 1,537, including 500 children

Injured: 6,612

Houses completely damaged: 2,500

Houses sustaining minor damages: 23,000

Population displaced: 338,000

Sheltered in UN schools: 220,000

Education facilities destroyed: 88

Children without access to education in a safe place: 6,00,000

Pregnant women without access to  essential health services: 50,000