For the past 17 days, Northern Gaza has been under violent siege. Approximately 400,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes, with only a few families managing to cross Wadi Gaza into the south. Thousands in Jabalia remain trapped.
Civilians continue to be killed and severely wounded, many tragically buried beneath rubble. Conditions are unbearable without enough shelter, food and water.
In Jabalia, which is under ceaseless bombardment, Relief International-France is supporting Al-Awda hospital. With the influx of patients and trauma cases, the hospital is running out of medicine, fuel and other life-saving supplies.
A spokesperson for Al-Awda hospital says, “There are only three hospitals in the north of Gaza and huge numbers of staff have been forced to flee. There is no neurosurgeon, vascular surgeon or pulmonary surgeon in the north, and any injury in these areas will result in amputation or death.”
In addition to many medical professionals being forced to flee northern Gaza, over 1,000 have been killed since last October. Despite evacuation orders, Al-Awda staff have chosen to stay to help people in critical need. They are sleeping at the hospital overnight as there are no safe spaces to shelter.
The spokesperson continues, “At the Al-Awda hospital, we are in a constant state of fear. Fear of being targeted, fear of being forced to evacuate and fear of the electricity and critical medical supplies running out completely.”
Being local, many staff at the Al-Awda facilities have been displaced multiple times themselves and are deeply traumatized, but they keep going – dedicated to continuing to help their communities.
At the same time, Relief International is facing massive challenges transporting critically needed aid into northern Gaza. Shipments of medicine and equipment were due to arrive at the Al-Awda hospital this month, however the items were not delivered due to the border crossings at Erez West and Erez Crossing/Beit Hanoun being closed.