Director of Gaza’s main hospital says health sector unprepared for war

Mohammed Abu Salmiyeh, the director of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, told Middle East Eye on Saturday that the death toll from the Israeli bombardment has reached 12 Palestinians.

He added that at least 80 other Palestinians were treated at the same hospital, the main hospital in the Gaza Strip. Five people are in critical condition and have been admitted to the intensive care unit.

Abu Salmiyeh said the health sector is not prepared for war, due to the severe shortage of supplies as a result of the Israeli blockade on Gaza.

"In an effort to save the lives of Palestinians in Gaza, we are appealing to the international community to supply Gaza hospitals with the necessary supplies and fuel," he told MEE. Gaza's only power plant is due to shut down on Saturday, according to the energy authority, threatening supplies to the hospital. 

The health sector in Gaza is experiencing a 40 percent shortage of medical supplies, he pointed out, adding that 30 percent of the required emergency and surgical supplies are also absent. 

X-ray equipment is also prohibited from entering the Gaza Strip by Israeli authorities.

"Israeli forces are using lethal force against Palestinian citizens, resulting in the amputation of upper and lower limbs of children who were transported to hospitals yesterday," Abu Salmiyeh said.

Interview by Hind Khoudary