The health situation in Gaza is catastrophic, says Al-Kaila

Occupied Al-Quds, (ST) – Palestinian Minister of Health Mai Al-Kaila affirmed that the health situation in the Gaza Strip is catastrophic as a result of the Israeli occupation’s continued aggression against the strip for the twelfth day. She renewed her appeal to international organizations to work to open a safe corridor for the entry of aid into the Strip.

Al-Kaila said during a press conference today that more than 3,300 martyrs died as a result of the aggression, and the health staff is unable to treat all the injured, whose number is estimated at thousands. She added that there is an acute shortage of medicines in the Gaza Strip, and a major problem in accessing hospitals, as a result of the permanent occupation bombing.

Al-Kaila pointed out that water shortages, the lack of hygiene and personal care supplies, in addition to overcrowding in shelter centers increase the risk of the spread of communicable diseases in a way that threatens with a real health disaster.

Al-Kaila condemned the massacre committed by the occupation by bombing the Al-Mamadani Hospital, which claimed the lives of more than 500 martyrs and injured hundreds others, including many children, women, youth and the elderly. She indicated that it reflects the brutality and barbarism of the occupation, which targeted an ancient hospital.

Al-Mamadani Hospital is the first hospital in the Gaza Strip, and was established 50 years ago. It was established 50 years before the establishment of what is called “Israel”.

Al-Kaila said: In light of the difficult health conditions and the occupation’s continued targeting of hospitals and medical teams and its violation of international laws and conventions, I renew my appeal to all international organizations and the international community to stand up to their responsibilities to stop the brutal aggression of the occupation against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and to work to open a safe corridor for the entry of medical aid in a safe manner immediate to the Strip.

Raghda Sawas