On Wednesday, a tragic incident unfolded in the Tal Al Sultan neighborhood in western Rafah as Israeli airstrikes resulted in the loss of four lives and left around two dozen individuals wounded. The Al Kuwaiti hospital in central Rafah received the bodies of the deceased and more than 25 injured individuals, with a significant number of them being children. Among the injured, two individuals are currently in critical condition.
Disturbing footage from the scene captured the aftermath of the airstrikes, showing a corpse and two body bags. The video also depicted distressed children arriving at the hospital in ambulances unaccompanied by their parents. Additionally, a young child with a heavily bandaged arm was seen being transported on a stretcher, barely responsive.
Due to the influx of patients, the Al Kuwaiti hospital has initiated efforts to expand its facilities to accommodate the growing number of casualties. This move comes after the closure and relocation of the Abu Yousef Al Najjar hospital, leaving Al Kuwaiti and the European hospital as the sole remaining healthcare facilities in Rafah. However, reports from the World Health Organization indicate that these hospitals are only operating at partial capacity.
The situation in Rafah serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of conflict on civilian populations, particularly on vulnerable groups such as children. The international community continues to monitor the developments in the region closely, with calls for de-escalation and efforts towards achieving lasting peace.
