Surgeons Forced to Operate in Corridors as Gaza Hospitals Struggle Amid Israeli Bombings
Amidst the ongoing Israeli bombings in Gaza, hospitals are facing severe challenges in providing medical care to the increasing number of patients. The Indonesian Hospital in Gaza has been overwhelmed with injured individuals, leading medics to set up makeshift operating rooms in corridors due to the lack of space in the main surgical theaters.
The healthcare professionals in Gaza are working tirelessly, despite dwindling supplies of medicines, frequent power cuts, and constant air and artillery strikes that shake the hospital buildings. Surgeons are working through the night to save a continuous stream of patients, often having to adapt to the changing circumstances. Dr. Mohammed al-Run stated, “We take it an hour at a time because we don’t know when we will be receiving patients. Several times we’ve had to set up surgical spaces in the corridors and even sometimes in the hospital waiting areas.”
The situation has worsened with the recent damage caused by bombardment near the frontlines where Israel’s military is advancing into the densely populated Palestinian enclave. Additionally, the fuel supply for the hospital’s generators is about to run out, adding to the challenges faced by the medical staff.
Since the initial attack by Hamas militants on October 7, Israel has responded with intense bombings that have resulted in the destruction of entire districts. Health authorities in Gaza, run by Hamas, report that over 8,500 people, including 3,500 children, have been killed in Israel’s assault.
Northern Gaza, where Israel has ordered a million people to evacuate their homes, has witnessed particularly harsh conditions in hospitals. Dr. Sobi Skaik, the director of the area’s only cancer treatment facility, expressed concerns about the damage caused by the bombardment, stating, “The bombardment caused great damage and put some electro-mechanical systems out of work. It also endangered the lives of patients and medical teams.”
In addition to the challenges faced by hospitals, the loss of communication services has further complicated emergency and medical services. Although the near-total blackout of phone and internet services has eased since Monday, there are concerns among Gaza residents about losing touch with friends and relatives during the bombardment.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has announced that his company’s Starlink would support communication links in Gaza with internationally recognized aid organizations. However, Israel’s Communication Minister, Shlomo Karhi, has stated that Israel will use all means at its disposal to fight against this support.
Gazans have appealed to Musk to help maintain communications, emphasizing the importance of internet, communications, and electricity in the modern world. Sobhi Abu Zaid, a displaced man sheltering at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, stated, “Should these things get cut off, the Gaza Strip would be isolated from the rest of the world.”
The blockade imposed by Israel on Gaza has resulted in electricity cuts, and fuel is not being allowed in, with concerns that it could be used by Hamas for military purposes. Hospitals have warned that they may soon be unable to operate generators, which are crucial for life-saving functions.
Surgeon Moaeen al-Masry stated that the limited fuel available will lead to power cuts in a few hours, causing the deaths of patients in intensive care and surgical wards. The Indonesian Hospital and al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City are at risk of having their main generators switched off.
Israel’s military spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Conricus, claimed that Hamas was hoarding fuel for its own operations, asserting that there is enough fuel for hospitals and water pumps to operate for many days.
The Indonesian Hospital, which is close to the frontlines in northern Gaza, is currently accommodating approximately 250 patients. The hospital has been receiving many of those injured in Israel’s bombardment and advance. The northern districts of Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun have been heavily targeted since Israel expanded its ground operations in Gaza.
The situation remains dire, with hospitals struggling to provide essential care amidst the ongoing bombings. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with hopes for a resolution to the conflict and improved access to medical services for the people of Gaza.
