Chris Lockyear, the Secretary General of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has described the situation in Gaza as a “catastrophe” following a devastating airstrike that killed nine of paediatrician Alaa al-Najjar’s ten children. This tragic incident occurred while Dr Najjar was on duty at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis. Her husband, Hamdi al-Najjar, sustained severe injuries during the attack, and the couple’s sole surviving child, Adam, aged 11, is in critical condition. The heartbreaking ages of the deceased children ranged from just seven months to 12 years old.

Lockyear, in a stark description relayed to Sky News, revealed that when the bodies of Dr Najjar’s children were brought to the hospital, they were in a horrifying state—“charcoaled” and barely identifiable. This specific hospital, among the very few still operational in Gaza, has come under fire itself on multiple occasions, complicating the already monumental task of delivering humanitarian assistance. Over the past two months, the facility has been subject to three separate airstrikes, with casualties even occurring within its surgical ward.

As the conflict rages on, hospitals across Gaza have faced relentless attacks, leading to a substantial deterioration of healthcare infrastructure. According to the World Health Organization, four major hospitals in Gaza were forced to suspend medical services within a week due to their precarious proximity to ongoing hostilities. Since the escalation of violence in October 2023, there have been 28 reported assaults on healthcare facilities, contributing to a staggering total of 697 attacks throughout this period. The WHO notes that out of the 36 hospitals operating in the Strip, almost all are either damaged or inoperable, leaving a mere 19 functional.

The grim human toll continues to escalate daily. Reports from Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry indicated that 79 victims of Israeli airstrikes were recorded in just one 24-hour period, a figure that likely underrepresents the overall casualties given the ongoing conflict dynamics. Lockyear voiced grave concerns about the humanitarian implications, stating, “We’re witnessing the weaponisation of humanitarian assistance,” highlighting a dire reality where access to essential resources like water and electricity is restricted, exacerbating an already disastrous humanitarian crisis.

In the broader context, the conflict erupted after Hamas-led militants conducted a surprise attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians. Israel’s military response has reportedly led to the deaths of over 53,000 Palestinians, including more than 16,500 children, according to local health officials. However, this count does not differentiate between combatants and non-combatants, complicating the narrative further.

While Israel has allowed around 300 aid trucks to enter Gaza since lifting an 11-week blockade, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has described this effort as “a teaspoon” of the aid needed to alleviate the humanitarian crisis, with many trucks unable to safely reach their intended destinations due to ongoing violence.

The heart-wrenching experiences of families like Dr Najjar’s illustrate the dire consequences of the conflict, as her brother, Ali al Najjar, recounted the horrifying task of attempting to rescue the children from their home. He stated, “We got out the third child. Of course, we couldn’t identify the children. They were charred. They had no clothes, no face. They were remains.”

Dr Najjar’s story underscores not only personal tragedy but also the broader humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza, blurring the lines between combatants and innocent civilians. It reflects an urgent call for action and accountability amid a burgeoning crisis that threatens the very fabric of human life in the region.

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Source: Noah Wire Services