Shifa Hospital in Gaza unable to handle the growing number of victims, doctors warn

Dr. Mohamed Abu Salmiya, director of Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital, has said that the hospital’s medical teams are unable to handle the growing number of wounded civilians due to the intense Israeli air strikes and bombardment, the Palestinian Information Centre reported.

Abu Salmiya said a large number of medicines and medical supplies have run out in the enclave as a result of the tight Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, with all crossings closed by Israel since 2 March leaving no aid to enter the Strip.

“The healthcare system cannot handle the large number of injured citizens, and we are facing a shortage of medicines due to the closure of the crossings,” Abu Salmiya said.

“We are witnessing a full-fledged crime committed by the occupation,” he added.

At least 400 Palestinians have been killed in a wave of brutal Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip, Gaza’s Ministry of Health said. The number is expected to rise as many are in critical condition or still under the rubble of bombed buildings.

The Israeli occupation army, which has enforced a total blockade of Gaza, has also issued new forced displacement orders for several areas.

Hamas said that Israel carried out a “treacherous” attack at dawn on besieged and defenceless civilians in order to overturn the Gaza ceasefire deal.

READ: UN chief expresses shock over Israel air strikes on Gaza