The European hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza, is facing dire circumstances as the conflict in the region intensifies, as reported by Tom Potokar, the chief surgeon at the International Committee of the Red Cross.
In a recent interview conducted after his entry into Gaza, Potokar expressed the gravity of the situation, describing it as “relentless” and “catastrophic”. He revealed shocking incidents of patients, including a six-year-old child, presenting with wounds infested with maggots. The pervasive loss experienced by the patients and staff was distressing, as he noted, “It’s almost like you can’t find somebody who hasn’t lost members of their family.”
The situation has escalated to a point where it is premature to predict the outcomes for Gaza. Israel has accused Hamas of constructing military tunnels beneath vital civilian infrastructures, an allegation denied by the militant group. The relentless attacks from Israel, comprising over 12,000 air and artillery strikes, have severed Gaza into two parts, exacerbating the existing crisis.
An independent UN expert has condemned Israel’s systematic bombardment of housing and civilian infrastructure in Gaza, branding it a war crime. The Israeli government, however, has asserted that it is still premature to outline the post-Hamas scenarios for Gaza, although discussions regarding the same are underway with other nations.
Following its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005, Israel imposed a stringent air, sea, and land blockade, aiming to contain the control of Hamas over the Palestinian territory. Government spokesman Eylon Levy highlighted ongoing deliberations with international partners to prepare for the “day after” and ensure the demilitarization of Gaza, reaffirming that it should never again become a “terror nest”. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also emphasized the country’s commitment to assuming “overall security” of Gaza in the future.
Moreover, the conflict has not been limited to Gaza, as violence in the West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, has claimed the lives of over 150 Palestinians due to attacks by Israeli soldiers or settlers. Recent Israeli air strikes near Damascus have also targeted pro-Iran fighters linked to the Lebanese Hezbollah group, underlining a concerning escalation of tensions in the region.
The intensifying situation in Gaza and its spillover effects on neighbouring areas emphasize the pressing need for immediate international intervention to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.
