The Palestinian Health Ministry, on Saturday, said 39 children in the care ward of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza are currently facing imminent death threat due to severe shortage of oxygen.
The ministry said in a distressing statement that this critical situation unfolded alongside Israeli forces’ barrage of air and artillery attacks on the hospital.
The ministry corrected an earlier statement made by Minister Mai Al-Kaila. He had mistakenly said 39 infants in the intensive care unit of Al-Shifa Hospital had succumbed to oxygen deprivation.
Mohammad Alawawda, the media manager at the ministry, told Anadolu Agency that the 39 children are at significant risk.
“One infant already having tragically died due to insufficient supply of oxygen,” Alawawda said.
During a press conference, Minister Al-Kaila passionately asserted that Israel is committing war crimes and genocide in the Gaza Strip.
She decried the besiegement and bombing of hospitals, emphasising the dire consequences for the health care infrastructure.
Al-Kaila expressed frustration with the international community and condemned its inability to halt the machinery of destruction.
The minister said rather than providing essential support such as fuel, medicine and supplies, Israel is surrounding hospitals with tanks.
The IDF siege is leading to the inevitable demise of thousands of patients and wounded individuals.
According to the minister, 20 out of the 35 hospitals in the region are now out of service.
This is due to Israeli bombing and the acute shortage of fuel.
Drawing attention to a specific incident, Al-Kaila reported that Israeli soldiers directly targeted Al-Nasr Hospital.
The bombardment has resulted in the destruction of the nursery department and solar energy panels.
“This, in turn, led to the interruption of electricity and water supply, exacerbating the already dire conditions.”
In a heartfelt appeal to the international community, the minister urgently called for intervention to lift the siege on hospitals and end the conflict.
She emphasized that such actions are essential to saving the lives of thousands of residents who are currently at risk due to the deteriorating situation in Gaza.
Pertinently, Over 11,000 people have lost their lives in Palestine in Israeli bombardment as Tel Aviv continue shelling Gaza. (FPK)
Do you have a flair for Citizenship Journalism? Share story(ies) of happenings in your area with The NewsZenith on WhatsApp: 08033668669 or thenewszenith@gmail.com
