The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza has reported that 16 out of the 32 hospitals in the Hamas-controlled enclave are currently non-operational due to the ongoing Israeli airstrikes and a severe shortage of fuel. Specifically, the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, a leading cancer treatment center in Gaza, has ceased its operations. Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila expressed concern about the critical condition of approximately 70 patients in this hospital and the threat to the lives of nearly 2,000 cancer patients due to the dire health conditions resulting from the conflict between Hamas and Israel.
According to the hospital's director, Sobhi Skaik, the facility suffered damage in an airstrike, with the center of the hospital and the third floor being particularly affected, impacting oxygen and water supplies. However, there were no reported injuries or casualties in this incident. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they did not target the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship hospital.
Furthermore, the Palestinian Health Ministry warned that the Al Shifa Medical Complex, Gaza's largest hospital, could also become non-operational in the near future due to fuel shortages and repeated Israeli airstrikes in its vicinity. The Al Hilo Hospital, which replaced the maternity ward of Al Shifa hospital for treating injured individuals, was reportedly struck by shelling on Wednesday night.
It's worth noting that Israel has maintained that there is no fuel shortage in Gaza. According to IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, there is a significant quantity of fuel stored inside Gaza, controlled by Hamas. The conflict has resulted in a substantial loss of life and injuries on both sides, with the death toll in Gaza reaching 8,805 and 1,400 deaths in Israel, along with thousands of injuries in both territories.
(With Agency Inputs)
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