As Israel gears up for its ground attack, Gazans are struggling to find safe haven in the war torn enclave. Hundreds of people, along with their families, are still fleeing to the south after Israel sounded warnings. However, sick, and wounded seeking care at Gaza hospitals were unable to evacuate.
If hospitals run out of fuel and basic supplies, thousands could die, warned hospitals. Even the civilians are finding it difficult to get food, and water ahead of ground strike.
Many people have gathered and settled outside the hospital buildings in Gaza fearing the attack.
According to Gaza Health Ministry, 2,329 Palestinians have been killed since the Israel-Hamas attack started on October 7. While, over 1,300 people have been killed from the Israeli side.
As per the United Nations, Gaza's hospitals are expected to run out of generator fuel within two days, which said that that would endanger the lives of thousands of patients.
In Nasser Hospital, Gaza’s second largest hospital, intensive care units are packed with wounded patients including children below the age of five. Patients suffering severe blast injures are seeking care at the hospital which is on the verge of running out of fuel.
Dr Mohammed Qandeel, a consultant at the critical care, said that the fuel is expected to run out on Monday.
There are 35 patients in the ICU that depend on ventilators to stay alive and another 60 on dialysis. If fuel runs out, it means the whole health system will be shut down, the services will be off, said Qandeel, reported the Associated Press.
Meanwhile, Al-Shifa hospital, the largest hospital in Gaza, was receiving hundreds of wounded every hour and had used up 95 per cent of its medical supplies, said hospital director Mohammad Abu Selim.
Even though the Israeli military claims that they are trying to clear away civilians from the north ahead of the ground attack, many are still reluctant to leave their land.
“It is better to die rather than leave our land,” said a Palestinian. However, Hamas had urged people to stay in their homes and fight against Israelis.
Earlier, Israeli Defence Forces had opened two safe routes for the Palestinians to flee to the south. In its latest, a three-hour window has been given for the Palestinians to find safe ground before the attack.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah in Lebanon had fired an anti-tank missile towards Israeli army post and Israel had responded with artillery fire.
Since the start of the latest war, Israel and Hezbollah have traded fire along the border several times.
Meanwhile, in the Kamal Alwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, the head of pediatrics, said the hospital could not evacuate despite Israeli warnings as it would be risking their lives. “We cannot evacuate, it would mean their death and other patients under our care,” he added.
However, the United States is trying to strike a deal with Egypt in opening the Rafah crossing, which is closed due to Israeli airstrikes near the crossing. US wanted the Americans and other foreigners to leave the enclave through the crossing.
IDF confirmed that Hamas has held 126 Israeli hostages.
Hamas spokesperson Jihad Taha told The Associated Press in Beirut that Israel does not dare to fight a ground battle, “because of the captives”.
