Medical professionals have issued a grave warning about a looming crisis at Gaza’s largest operational hospital, Nasser Medical Complex, due to an acute fuel shortage and an escalating Israeli military operation in Khan Younis. The facility halted new admissions on Thursday after Israeli forces reportedly advanced to a cemetery just 200 meters away and fired towards encampments for displaced individuals, before withdrawing on Friday. The fuel shortage threatens essential hospital operations, including critical care, as no comments have been made by the Israeli military. However, they have confirmed their presence in the area to dismantle “terrorist infrastructure.”
Eyewitnesses report that Israeli tanks and heavy equipment advanced into a cemetery south of Nasser Hospital on Thursday, resulting in gunfire and the burning of tents hosting displaced families.
Video evidence showed smoke rising, while residents in nearby areas were forced to evacuate following drone activity. Inside the hospital, medical staff expressed severe concerns for their safety and the continued threat to operations. Civilians near the hospital faced injuries from stray bullets. Dr.
Saber al-Asmar from Nasser Medical Complex noted the absence of warnings from Israeli forces about the military operation, which led to immediate evacuation chaos under threat of violence. By Friday morning, Israeli troops had vacated nearby positions, leaving noticeable destruction behind. Hospital staff were assessing their ability to resume patient intake, stressing the urgent need for a halt in violence to manage the relentless flow of trauma cases. Hospital power supplies are critically low, with generators operating minimally and fears of a shutdown looming large.
If electricity ceases, patient survival, particularly for those on ventilators, is dire. Meanwhile, a military official reported fuel entering Gaza intended for humanitarian use, though not distributed by the army. Overcrowding and resource scarcity define Nasser hospital’s current state, treating double its capacity amid a flood of severe trauma cases. The organization’s spokesperson detailed devastating injuries suffered by young individuals caught in the crossfire around aid sites.
Tragically, recent reports detail several fatalities due to military actions at a Rafah aid distribution point. The International Committee of the Red Cross expressed outrage over one of its staff and a volunteer being wounded during a rescue mission in Gaza, while investigations into the incident continue. Concurrently, an Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza claimed lives, including a senior Hamas commander, amidst ongoing military retaliations. Negotiations for a possible ceasefire and hostage exchange continue despite obstacles, with uncertain progress reported in diplomatic talks facilitated by Qatar.
Since the Israeli campaign began in response to the October 7th attacks on southern Israel, which resulted in mass casualties and abductions, the civilian death toll in Gaza has risen sharply.
