MSF says ‘overwhelmed’ by casualties as Hamas, Israel battle rages
Members of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) working in Gaza have described the situation in the besieged strip as horrific, with a massive number of casualties.
Israel already imposed a total siege on the Gaza Strip on Monday, cutting off food, water and electricity supplies and sparking fears of that an already dire humanitarian situation will swiftly deteriorate.
Israel has been left reeling by Hamas's unprecedented ground, air and sea assault, likening it to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
The death toll rose to more than 900 in Israel, which has retaliated with a withering barrage of strikes on Gaza, raising the death toll there to 687.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed their response "will change the Middle East."
MSF Head of Mission in Gaza, Matthias Kannes, says MSF is busy performing surgeries and donating supplies in Gaza amid overcrowded facilities.
“The situation is horrific, with massive Israeli and Palestinian casualties. Our Palestinian colleagues are working day and night to cope with the influx of wounded. Following today’s bombing in Al Jabalia refugee camp, our team treated more than 50 people in Al Awda hospital.”
MSF says it is preparing a medicine and medical consumables donation to hospitals and health facilities in Gaza on Tuesday.
“Health facilities need this equipment because of the many injured patients, hospitals are overcrowded with injured people, there is a shortage of drugs and consumables and a shortage of fuel for generators,” said Ayman Al-Djaroucha, MSF deputy coordinator in Gaza.
The organisation says another challenge faced by its medical staff face is the lack of a safe option to move patients to health facilities.
MSF says staff have been providing surgical and inpatient care in Al-Awda Hospital in the enclave’s north since Monday, including upgrading bed capacity to its maximum of 26 beds in preparation for a high influx of expected patients.
According to MSF, ambulances can’t be used due to the constant airstrikes.
MSF asks all parties to respect the sanctity of medical facilities, vehicles and personnel.
“Stable patients are referred to us, and we take care of them. It’s all been gunshot wounds and injuries from shrapnel, spread at random on the upper and lower limbs,” said Jean Pierre, MSF medical activity manager in Gaza.
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