Medics at Gaza City’s al-Shifa hospital are facing unprecedented challenges, describing a situation where they are operating with scarce or no anaesthetics due to the overwhelming number of casualties from ongoing Israeli strikes. Australian volunteer doctors highlight the dire reality, with one emergency specialist calling each day a “mass casualty event” and another recounting the harrowing experience of saving a baby from a mother killed in the conflict.
The hospital, once the largest medical facility in Gaza, now stands in ruins, a stark testament to the conflict. Despite the devastation, medical professionals are working tirelessly amidst severe shortages of medicine and basic supplies, often performing complex procedures under unimaginable conditions.
Amidst this crisis, Israeli forces have advanced to within 500 meters of al-Shifa hospital, intensifying their ground offensive in Gaza City, which Israel designates as Hamas’s primary stronghold. Witnesses report tanks moving into the city center from both the south and northwest, increasing civilian displacement and the number of injured.
The relentless Israeli air and artillery strikes, along with attacks using drones and explosive-laden vehicles, continue to force tens of thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes daily. While the Israeli military states its offensive aims to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of hostages taken on October 7, 2023, the humanitarian toll remains devastating.
Doctors like Dr. Nada Abu Alrub describe operating on severely wounded patients with “minimal to hardly no anaesthesia” and “no painkillers,” while Dr. Saya Aziz details the agonizing wait for treatment for young patients due to the critical shortage of medical personnel and the overwhelming number of severe cases. The scenes within the hospital are described as horrific, with blood-stained beds, lack of equipment, and profound sorrow among healthcare workers. The situation highlights the critical need for humanitarian aid and a cessation of hostilities.