DaysofPal– The head of Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya has warned that patients are dying daily as the Israeli blockade continues to prevent vital medical supplies from entering the besieged enclave, leaving hospitals on the brink of total collapse.
Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya told Al Jazeera that since the ceasefire began on 11 October, only about 10 percent of the necessary medical aid has entered Gaza.
Over 1,000 Palestinians in need of treatment have already died due to shortages, he said, describing the situation as “catastrophic.”
According to Abu Salmiya, around 350,000 people with chronic illnesses are running out of essential medication, and hospitals are receiving the bodies of patients who have died from otherwise treatable conditions.
“Without medicine or care, their fate is death,” he said.
He added that 22,000 Palestinians urgently require treatment abroad, including 18,000 whose paperwork has been approved, yet the Israeli occupation continued closure of border crossings has blocked all transfers.
Women and children remain among the hardest hit, with infant mortality rates soaring from 10 to more than 40 percent, and maternal deaths rising sharply.
The doctor’s remarks came just hours after the Israeli occupation launched a series of air strikes across Gaza, one of the most severe breaches of the ceasefire to date, killing at least 104 Palestinians, including 46 children, and injuring hundreds more within 12 hours.
“The wounded were dying right before our eyes,” Abu Salmiya said.
“We were helpless, with no resources, no medicine, and no equipment to save them.” He added.
Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense, said rescue teams were “completely overwhelmed,” responding to nearly 90 incidents during the bombardment.
He explained that the lack of heavy machinery has crippled rescue efforts: “Thousands have died because we couldn’t reach them in time.”
He noted that while the Israeli occupation has allowed limited machinery into Gaza, it was only to recover Israeli captives’ bodies, not for civilian rescue operations.
Since 7 October 2023, Israeli forces have killed at least 68,643 Palestinians and wounded more than 170,000, according to leaked military figures.
Around 10,000 people remain missing, presumed dead beneath the rubble.
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