Gaza StripGeneral NewsIsraelIsrael-Hamas warMiddle EastUnited NationsWorld News Water runs out at UN shelters in Gaza. Medics fear for patients as Israeli ground offensive looms by Gabriel Martinez October 15, 2023 written by Gabriel Martinez October 15, 2023 3 comments Bookmark 57 Water shortages have become a dire crisis at United Nations shelters in Gaza, where thousands have sought refuge amidst the looming threat of an Israeli ground offensive. Doctors in these overcrowded shelters are grappling with the challenge of caring for patients who face the risk of perishing once the generators exhaust their fuel supply. The situation in Gaza is already grim, with its Palestinian residents enduring years of conflict. This latest Israeli operation, triggered by a Hamas militant attack on October 7th that claimed the lives of 1,300 Israelis, the majority of whom were civilians, has exacerbated the suffering. Israel has imposed a blockade, severing the flow of essential supplies like food, medicine, water, and electricity to Gaza. Airstrikes have pounded neighborhoods, and a mass evacuation order has been issued to approximately 1 million residents in the northern region in anticipation of Israel’s planned offensive. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that over 2,300 Palestinians have lost their lives since the recent outbreak of hostilities. Amidst this crisis, humanitarian organizations are urgently calling for the safeguarding of Gaza’s more than 2 million civilians, emphasizing the need to establish an emergency corridor for the delivery of humanitarian aid. Dr. Mohammed Qandeel, a healthcare professional at Nasser Hospital in the southern Khan Younis area, expresses deep concern, stating, “The difference with this escalation is we don’t have medical aid coming in from outside, the border is closed, electricity is off and this constitutes a high danger for our patients.” Doctors within the evacuation zone find it impossible to safely relocate their patients, so they have chosen to remain, committed to providing care even at the risk of their own lives. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the head of pediatrics at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, echoes this sentiment, asserting, “We shall not evacuate the hospital even if it costs us our lives.” He highlights the plight of seven newborns in the intensive care unit, who would not survive if the medical team left. Additionally, there is a shortage of available healthcare facilities in the densely populated coastal territory, with hospitals already at full capacity, and new patients arriving daily with severe injuries. The situation is dire for patients dependent on ventilators and those with complex blast injuries requiring constant care. Doctors fear that hospitals may be forced to shut down entirely as their fuel supplies for generators run critically low. United Nations humanitarian monitors estimate that this could occur as early as Monday. Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, situated at the epicenter of the evacuation zone, is struggling to accommodate an estimated 35,000 individuals who have sought shelter within its premises. The hospital’s director, Mohammed Abu Selmia, acknowledges the immense difficulties faced by these displaced people as they hope for protection amidst the ongoing conflict. The hospital continues to receive hundreds of wounded individuals daily. Juliette Touma, spokesperson for the U.N.’s Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), reveals that around half a million Gaza residents have sought refuge in U.N. shelters, and they are rapidly running out of water. To address this, U.N. teams have initiated water rationing measures. Over the past 24 hours, a quarter of a million people in Gaza have moved to these shelters, many of which are U.N. schools where clean water supplies have become exhausted, according to Inas Hamdan, another UNRWA spokesperson. Throughout Gaza, families are forced to ration their dwindling water supplies, with some resorting to drinking contaminated or brackish water. The hardship is palpable, as illustrated by Shaima al-Farra in Khan Younis, who remarks, “I am very happy that I was able to brush my teeth today, can you imagine what lengths we have reached?” The dire water shortage adds to the immense challenges faced by the people of Gaza in their struggle for survival amidst this escalating crisis. Table of Contents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Humanitarian CrisisWhat is the current situation in Gaza?Why are doctors in the shelters concerned?What has led to this crisis in Gaza?How are humanitarian organizations responding to the situation?What is the status of clean water supplies in Gaza’s UN shelters?More about Humanitarian Crisis Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Humanitarian Crisis What is the current situation in Gaza? The current situation in Gaza is dire, with UN shelters running out of water as an Israeli ground offensive looms. Thousands have sought refuge in these shelters amidst the escalating conflict. Why are doctors in the shelters concerned? Doctors in the shelters are deeply concerned because they are struggling to care for patients, and there is a looming threat that generators will run out of fuel. This could lead to a crisis for patients in need of medical care. What has led to this crisis in Gaza? The crisis in Gaza has been triggered by an Israeli operation following a Hamas militant attack. Israel has imposed a blockade, cutting off essential supplies like food, medicine, water, and electricity to the region, which has exacerbated the suffering of the Palestinian population. How are humanitarian organizations responding to the situation? Humanitarian organizations are urgently calling for the protection of Gaza’s civilian population and the establishment of an emergency corridor for the delivery of humanitarian aid. What is the status of clean water supplies in Gaza’s UN shelters? Clean water supplies in Gaza’s UN shelters are running critically low, and UN teams have initiated water rationing measures. This poses a significant challenge to the well-being of the displaced individuals seeking refuge in these shelters. More about Humanitarian Crisis Gaza crisis: UN shelters run out of water as Israeli offensive looms You Might Be Interested In Longtime Democrat from New York, Brian Higgins, to leave Congress early next year AP PHOTOS: Women’s World Cup highlights Photo Essay: A Month of Anguish as Israeli-Gaza Strife Intensifies Himalayan glaciers could lose 80% of their volume if global warming not controlled, study finds 11 dead and 27 missing in flooding around Beijing after days of rain, Chinese state media report Why the Fight Over Science is Delaying the Key UN Climate Report Emergency AidGazaGaza StripGeneral Newshealthcarehumanitarian crisisIsraelIsrael-Hamas warIsraeli offensiveMiddle EastPalestinianrefugeesUN sheltersUnited Nationswater shortage Share 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail Gabriel Martinez Follow Author Gabriel Martinez is a science and technology journalist who covers the latest news and developments in the world of science. He is passionate about exploring new frontiers in technology, from artificial intelligence to space exploration. previous post U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Revisit Israel Following Arab Nation Tours to Prevent Wider Regional Conflict next post A Supreme Court dispute over a $15,000 IRS bill may be aimed at a never-enacted tax on billionaires You may also like Bookmark A woman who burned Wyoming’s only full-service abortion... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Argument over Christmas gifts turns deadly as 14-year-old... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Danny Masterson sent to state prison to serve... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Hong Kong man jailed for 6 years after... December 28, 2023 Bookmark AP concludes at least hundreds died in floods... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Live updates | Israeli forces raid a West... December 28, 2023 3 comments EconGuru October 15, 2023 - 2:49 pm This crisis, it’s bad. Israel’s blockin’ aid, patients sufferin’. UN gotta act fast! Reply CarEnthusiast October 15, 2023 - 6:00 pm Terrible news for Gaza. Situation worsenin’ with no water, no power. Sad days… Reply CryptoQueen October 16, 2023 - 10:20 am Such a sad situation, no food, no water. They need help! Reply Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ