As Israel continues its military operations in southern Gaza, the suffering of Palestinian civilians and the strain on hospitals in the region are becoming increasingly evident. Dr. Irfan Galeri recently returned from volunteering at the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Yunis and shared his harrowing experiences.
Dr. Galeri described the situation in Gaza as nothing short of annihilation, emphasizing the humanitarian crisis he witnessed. Over one million people were struggling to find basic necessities like shelter, food, and drinking water amidst constant drone surveillance and distant bombings.
During his time at the European Gaza Hospital, Dr. Galeri treated numerous patients, including children, in overcrowded and overwhelmed conditions. The hospital, designed for 300 patients, was accommodating over 1,000 individuals, with staff members also residing on-site due to the destruction of their homes.
Dr. Galeri recounted the heartbreaking reality of operating on numerous orphaned children, highlighting the lack of pain medication and emotional support available to these young patients.
When asked about the most urgent needs at the hospitals, Dr. Galeri stressed the immediate necessity for a ceasefire to halt attacks on healthcare facilities and providers. He emphasized the critical requirement for humanitarian aid to alleviate the escalating crisis in Gaza.
Before the conflict, Gaza relied heavily on aid shipments, with hundreds of trucks entering the region daily. However, the ongoing war has severely disrupted aid deliveries, exacerbating the already dire situation for civilians and healthcare workers.
Dr. Irfan Galeri's firsthand account sheds light on the devastating impact of the conflict on Gaza's population and underscores the urgent need for international intervention to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.
