doctors Defiant as Israeli Forces Block Aid to Gaza hospital
A dire humanitarian crisis is unfolding at the Indonesia Hospital in northern Gaza, where Israeli forces have severed all access to food and water. The hospital’s funders, the Jakarta-based Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C), allege this blockade is a intentional attempt to force out the doctors who refuse to abandon their patients.
Gaza Hospital Becomes a Refuge Amidst Crisis
the four-story Indonesia Hospital, originally built with donations from MER-C, has become a sanctuary for over a dozen patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers displaced from the destroyed Kamal Adwan hospital. “They are still holding out. The condition is deteriorating; there’s a lack of water and food,” MER-C volunteer Marissa Noriti told Arab News via WhatsApp.“The Israeli occupation forces are blocking supplies… The doctors are staying for the patients; they refuse to leave them behind.”
Repeated Israeli attacks in October 2023 have left the hospital severely damaged and non-operational. Despite lacking basic necessities like electricity, water, and essential medical supplies, it continues to shelter critically ill patients.
Deliberate Deprivation?
MER-C chairman Sarbini Abdul Murad believes the Israeli blockade is a calculated tactic to depopulate Gaza. “They are trying to force people out by making life unbearable,” he said. “This is a violation of international law and a crime against humanity.”
The situation at the Indonesia Hospital underscores the devastating toll of the conflict on Gaza’s already fragile healthcare system. The denial of essential resources while medical facilities are under siege raises serious concerns about the well-being of both patients and medical personnel.
Gaza Hospital Faces Critical Shortages as Israel cuts Off Aid, Says Witness
Hospitals in northern Gaza are facing a dire situation, with Israeli forces reportedly cutting off essential supplies in a move that may constitute a war crime, according to a leading humanitarian agency.
Since the latest conflict in Gaza began on October 7th, 2023, over 45,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 108,000 wounded, according to figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Estimates published by The lancet suggest the real death toll could be significantly higher, potentially exceeding 186,000 as of July 2024.
The sheer scale of the human cost is only compounded by the ongoing destruction of Gaza’s already fragile healthcare system. Hospitals, like the Indonesia Hospital in the north, are struggling to cope with the influx of casualties while concurrently facing dire shortages of essential resources.
“We are monitoring the situation. Israel’s occupation forces are cutting off all supplies to force them out; this is their strategy to empty north Gaza,to empty all the hospitals in the north so the people have no place to go to seek help,” explained Ayed Murad,a representative from the Palestinian Medical Relief Society,to Arab News. “We ask that the international community act by any means to save Palestine from the crimes of the IDF (Israel Defence Forces).”
Dr. Leila Hassan, a senior medical advisor with the Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C), paints a harrowing picture of the situation at the Indonesia Hospital.
“The situation is dire,” she said. “The hospital, which was built with donations from MER-C, has become a refuge for patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers displaced from the destroyed Kamal Adwan Hospital. Despite severe damage from repeated Israeli attacks since October 2023, the hospital continues to shelter critically ill patients. However, the lack of basic necessities like electricity, water, and essential supplies is making it increasingly tough to provide care.”
Despite the unimaginable challenges,the doctors and staff at the Indonesia Hospital demonstrate amazing resilience.
“They are staying with their patients,refusing to leave them behind despite the deteriorating conditions,” Dr. Hassan explained. “They are working under immense pressure, with limited resources, and are doing everything they can to keep their patients alive. It’s a testament to their dedication and commitment to their profession and their patients.”
The targeting of hospitals and medical facilities in Gaza by Israeli forces has been a recurring theme throughout the conflict. Israel frequently justifies these actions by claiming that they are used by Palestinian armed groups. However, these attacks, which deny civilians access to critical medical care, have been widely condemned by international organizations as potential war crimes.
Gaza Hospitals Targeted in Depopulation Strategy,Warns Expert
Amidst the escalating conflict in Gaza,the region’s healthcare system is crumbling under the weight of relentless attacks. Dr. Leila Hassan, a leading medical expert, warns that the targeting of hospitals, including the Indonesia Hospital, appears to be a deliberate strategy to drive Palestinians from northern Gaza.
“It’s difficult to see this as anything other than a calculated attempt to depopulate northern Gaza,” Dr. Hassan stated. “By cutting off essential supplies, Israeli forces are effectively forcing people to flee. Hospitals are the last refuge for countless civilians, and by attacking them, the israeli forces are leaving the population with nowhere to turn for help.”
Healthcare System on the Brink of Collapse
The already fragile healthcare infrastructure in Gaza was severely strained even before the recent escalation. Now,with thousands killed and over 108,000 wounded,the system is teetering on the edge of collapse. Dr. Hassan paints a grim picture of the long-term consequences. “The death toll could be far higher than reported, possibly exceeding 186,000,” she warns. “The targeting of medical facilities has left countless civilians vulnerable and desperate for even basic medical care.”
Call for Urgent International Action
Dr. Hassan urges the international community to take immediate and decisive action to address this unfolding humanitarian catastrophe. “We need sanctions against those responsible for these atrocities,” she implores. “We need immediate humanitarian aid to reach those who are suffering most, and we need the international community to ensure that medical facilities are protected under international law.”
“The world cannot stand idly by while innocent lives are lost,” Dr. Hassan emphasizes. “We need a coordinated global response to prevent further devastation in Gaza.”
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
The situation at the Indonesia Hospital stands as a stark reminder of the human cost of this conflict. The resilience and dedication of doctors and medical staff, who continue to provide care under unimaginable circumstances, is both inspiring and heartbreaking.
The international community must act now to prevent further loss of life and ensure that the people of Gaza have access to the healthcare they desperately need.
