The general coordinator of the international organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Matthias Cannes, described the situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip as horrible on Tuesday, referring to the fact that there are “massive death tolls” and many Palestinians displaced and in fear.
Matthias Cannes, whose statements were recorded by the medical aid organization, explained that the attacks in Gaza continue to shake the territory, stressing that even the noise of Israeli bombing could be heard as he spoke.
“Our Palestinian colleagues are working day and night to cope with the influx of wounded,” he said, adding that many local medical staff are working under double pressure.
In addition to the growing number of victims to care for, “many of our Palestinian colleagues have left their homes for fear of being attacked. Some of them reported the total destruction of the places where they lived,” said the general coordinator of MSF.
The lack of security for health professionals, hospitals and even ambulances in the region is, as MSF highlights in a statement released this Tuesday, “one of the biggest challenges currently facing the medical team” in Gaza.
“The ambulances cannot be used now because they are being hit by airstrikes,” explained MSF medical coordinator in Gaza, Darwin Díaz.
By asking all parties in conflict to “respect the inviolability of health facilities, professionals and vehicles”, the international organization recalls that it has been preparing, since Sunday – the day after the attacks began – “donations of medicines and consumables” for hospitals and other health centers in Gaza.
“Health centers need this equipment due to the high number of wounded,” argues MSF deputy coordinator in Gaza, Ayman Al-Djaroucha.
“Hospitals are overcrowded with injured people, there is a shortage of medicines and consumables, as well as a lack of fuel for generators,” he described.
A description reinforced by the testimony of Matthias Cannes, who claimed to have treated, on Monday alone, more than 50 people at the Al-Awda hospital, the largest in the Gaza Strip.
“After today’s bomb attack [de segunda-feira] “In Al-Jabalia refugee camp, our team treated more than 50 people at Al-Awda hospital,” he said.
According to MSF, teams made up of local professionals from the organization have been carrying out surgeries and outpatient care since Saturday at the Al-Awda hospital, in the northern region of the enclave, having increased the number of beds available “to respond to the large number of victims.” .
The Islamic group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli territory this Saturday, called Operation “Al-Aqsa Storm”, with the launch of thousands of rockets and the incursion of armed militiamen by land, sea and air.
In response to the surprise attack, Israel bombed several Hamas facilities in the Gaza Strip from the air, in an operation called “Iron Swords.”
Israel declared total war and vowed to punish Hamas like never before, and the mobilization of 300,000 Israeli reserves raised the prospect of a ground invasion or even reoccupation of Gaza. The Israeli army claims to have killed hundreds of militants and bombed numerous Hamas targets.
The latest report from the Palestinian Ministry of Health records at least 560 deaths due to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza – including dozens of minors and women – which raises the total number of deaths on both sides after the armed clashes that began on Saturday. .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is “at war” with Hamas.
Source: TSF
