Bullet marks mar the walls of Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, serving as a grim reminder of the Israeli offensive that took place earlier this year. The aftermath of the siege has left the hospital in a non-functional and severely damaged state, lacking essential resources such as food, water, electricity, and oxygen.
According to reports from Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), Israeli forces targeted Hamas militants in February, resulting in extensive destruction of the hospital's infrastructure. The dialysis building was completely burned down, communication systems were damaged, and crucial utilities like electricity and water were disrupted.
Dr. Tammy Abughnaim, a US emergency doctor who provided medical assistance in Gaza, described the dire conditions at Nasser Hospital. Patients seeking refuge from bombardment crowded the hallways, while hospital workers struggled with inadequate air conditioning and ventilation. Families of patients had to fend off flies, and medical staff faced the distressing task of removing maggots from the mouths of ventilated patients.
Despite the hospital's role as a place of healing, it has also become a makeshift shelter for displaced individuals. Some resorted to sleeping near mass grave sites due to the unbearable heat inside the damaged building. The situation has left many wondering about the fate of those seeking medical care and refuge in the midst of such devastation.
Currently, only 17 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza are partially functional, as reported by the United Nations' Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The challenges faced by Nasser Hospital underscore the urgent need for support and resources to restore essential healthcare services in the region.
