KUALA LUMPUR – Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City is now officially out of service, rendered non-operational due to relentless Israeli air strikes and ground incursions in the Palestinian territory.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) announced this development via a post on X (formerly Twitter). The cessation of hospital services is attributed to a critical shortage of fuel and persistent power outages.
@PalestineRCS announces Al-Quds Hospital out of service and no longer operational.
— PRCS (@PalestineRCS) November 12, 2023
🚨✋The cessation of services is due to the depletion of available fuel and power outage.
🛑 PRCS holds the international community and signatories of the Fourth Geneva Convention accountable… pic.twitter.com/SPg69Zv7GH
It also noted that repeated appeals for urgent international assistance have proven unsuccessful, exacerbated by a week-long siege and a five-day communication and internet blackout.
PRCS also noted that the occupation forces have intensified their presence in Gaza, bisecting the southern and northern parts of the enclave from one another, preventing ambulances from reaching affected areas.
“The hospital has been left to fend for itself amid ongoing Israeli bombardment, posing severe risks to the medical staff, patients, and displaced civilians,” it said.
“This has resulted in numerous unclaimed bodies and limited medical response capabilities, with only one operation hospital in Gaza and two in the north.”
The organisation said it deeply regrets “reaching this critical point” despite efforts to prevent the cessation of hospital services.
“PRCS holds the international community and signatories of the Fourth Geneva Convention accountable for the complete breakdown of the health system and the resulting dire humanitarian conditions,” it said.
“PRCS urges international health and relief organisations to urgently provide necessary aid to the Gaza and northern regions, to maintain health care services and support the remaining hospitals and emergency services.”
In a separate development earlier today, Doctors Without Borders surgeon Dr Mohammed Obeid has shared an eerie voice note from inside Al-Shifa Hospital, which is Gaza’s largest medical facility, saying a sniper had attacked four patients inside the hospital.
Since October 31, the Israeli Defence Force had intensified artillery and air strikes around Al-Quds Hospital, leading the hospital building to tremble, and creating panic among hospital staff and patients
Prior to the halt in operations, the hospital was accommodating hundreds of patients and over 12,000 displaced civilians.
Earlier today, Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila said 20 out of 35 hospitals in Gaza have gone out of service since October 7 due to Israeli attacks and fuel shortages.
At least 11,078 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,506 children and 3,027 women since October 7. – November 12, 2023