The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has reached alarming new heights, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirming a staggering death toll exceeding 32,000 Palestinians since the latest wave of Israeli military operations began. Hospitals across the embattled territory are operating beyond capacity, struggling to treat the wounded amid severe shortages of medical supplies and electricity.
Healthcare System on the Brink of Collapse
WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic painted a grim picture of Gaza's deteriorating medical infrastructure during a press briefing in Geneva. "The situation is beyond dire," Jasarevic stated, "with medical staff forced to make impossible choices about who receives treatment as supplies dwindle."
Key challenges facing healthcare providers include:
- Chronic shortages of anaesthetics and antibiotics
- Frequent power outages lasting 12-18 hours daily
- Overcrowded wards with patients often treated on floors
- Only 10 of Gaza's 36 hospitals remain partially functional
International Outcry Grows
The United Nations has described the conditions in Gaza as "unprecedented in their severity", with UN Secretary-General António Guterres calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. Meanwhile, Israeli officials maintain their military campaign targets Hamas militants responsible for the October 7 attacks that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis.
Civilian Suffering Mounts
Eyewitness accounts from Gaza City describe apocalyptic scenes:
- Families sheltering in UN schools facing severe food shortages
- Children undergoing surgeries without proper pain relief
- Bodies left unburied due to safety concerns and lack of resources
The International Committee of the Red Cross reports that over 1.7 million Gazans - nearly 80% of the population - have been displaced, with many forced to relocate multiple times as the conflict spreads.
