Israel's Aggression Has An Impact On The Health System In The Gaza Strip

JAKARTA - Israel's two-year aggression since October 2023 has an impact on the health system in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

The latest conflict in the Gaza Strip broke out on October 7, 2023, when a Palestinian militant group led by Hamas attacked Israel's southern region, killing 1,200 people and causing 251 others to be held hostage, according to Israeli calculations.

Israel responded to this by carrying out airstrikes, blockades and land operations in the Gaza Strip.

Medical sources in the Gaza Strip announced on Tuesday that the death toll had risen to 67,173, while the number of injured victims had reached 169,780, including 20,179 children, 10,427 women, 4,813 elderly and 31,754 men, as reported by WAFA.

Medical sources have also documented the impact of the disaster on the Gaza health system after two years of ongoing genocide.

The number of medical personnel who died reached 1,701 people, while 362 were detained in a state of forced disappearance and detention, and their human rights were seized.

Of the total 38 hospitals, 25 of them are not operating, while 13 hospitals are still operating partially and in difficult conditions.

Israel's occupation has also destroyed 103 primary health care centers, out of a total of 157 health care centers, while 54 health care centers are only partially operational.

The cessation of regular medical supplies, the delay in safe access to hospitals, and the increasing number of injuries and deaths have exacerbated the shortage of medicines and medical supplies in vital departments.

As many as 55 percent of medicines, 66 percent of medical supplies and 68 percent of laboratory supplies are currently running out of stock.

Meanwhile, hospital bed occupancy rate increased to 225 percent at the end of last September, compared to the same period last year, which reached 82 percent.

This figure is a very high number, given the increasing number of inpatients and critical injuries.

Furthermore, direct attacks on health facilities have destroyed the electrical and electromechanical systems. The occupation has destroyed 25 of the 35 oxygen generation stations and 61 of the 110 generators.

The rate of hunger in the Gaza Strip has reached a critical point, according to the UN classification, with 460 deaths from hunger and malnutrition recorded, including 154 children. It did not stop there, a total of 51,196 Gazan children under the age of five were still suffering from severe malnutrition.

The density of Palestinians in forced collection areas, which are mistakenly labeled "humanity", has worsened their health and humanitarian conditions. The lack of basic necessities of life causes disease spread, lack of clean drinking water sources, and food shortages.

Regular and emergency vaccination refusals have reduced child vaccination coverage by up to 80 percent. In addition, the fourth phase of preventive polio vaccination has been stopped, threatening the failure of previous phases as disease spread factors are increasing.

The latest conflict in Gaza has also led to 4,900 cases of amputation and disability requiring supporting equipment and long-term rehabilitation programs.

The closure of crossings for the movement of patients and injured victims has prevented 18,000 patients from traveling abroad for treatment, including 5,580 children.

To date, medics in Gaza City continue to carry out their humanitarian and national duties despite the dangers surrounding those who threaten their safety and safety of injured victims as well as those injured.