Gaza Health Ministry: Hospitals turned into mass graves, the situation is ‘hellish’
The director general of the Gaza Ministry of Health has depicted the conditions in the northern part of the territory as "hellish," following a prolonged period of 100 days under an Israeli ground offensive and siege.
Munir al-Barsh described the current circumstances as a “living nightmare” on Sunday, highlighting the ongoing Israeli assaults and the government’s prohibition on food deliveries to medical personnel stranded in northern hospitals.
He stated that hospitals in northern Gaza have effectively become mass burial sites.
Al-Barsh highlighted that the ongoing offensive, characterized by the destruction of hospitals, infrastructure, and any living signs in the northern region, appears to be an intentional effort to depopulate the area.
He stated that the Israeli occupation has intentionally targeted the health infrastructure from the outset, arguing that the destruction of hospitals serves as the most significant indication of an alleged genocide by Israel.
In recent developments from the escalating conflict in northern Gaza, reports indicate that since the onset of Israel’s offensive in early October 2024, approximately 5,000 individuals are reported either dead or missing. Additionally, around 9,500 people have sustained injuries. Amidst the hostilities, Israeli forces have reportedly detained approximately 2,300 individuals, which includes 65 medical personnel.
Al-Barsh has criticized what he describes as the “disgraceful” lack of response from the international community concerning the actions of Israel, stating that this inaction has “exacerbated the suffering” of innocent civilians.
On October 7, 2023, Israel initiated a military campaign in Gaza following an unexpected offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas, termed Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. This development arose amidst longstanding tensions and accusations surrounding Israel’s historic actions against Palestinians.
The ongoing military offensive in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 46,565 Palestinians, the majority of whom are reported to be women and children. Additionally, more than 109,660 individuals have sustained injuries in the conflict. Further, thousands of people remain unaccounted for and are feared to be trapped beneath debris.
The UK’s esteemed medical publication, The Lancet, has put forward an estimate suggesting that the true death toll from the conflict significantly exceeds the figures reported by official sources.
A recent study has revealed that the death toll figures reported by the Palestinian health ministry during the first nine months of the war in the Gaza Strip were likely underestimated by 41 percent. This discrepancy occurred as the healthcare infrastructure in the region faced significant challenges.
