Gaza, 23 October 2023(TDI): Hospitals in Gaza face a critical shortage of fuel, endangering the lives of premature infants in incubators. Urgent intervention is essential to ensure their safety and well-being.
Due to the Israeli blockade and airstrikes following attacks by Hamas militants on October 7, at least 130 premature babies in six neonatal units across Gaza are at “grave risk” due to dangerous fuel shortages. Doctors treating these infants are deeply concerned about their ability to provide essential care.
Medical professionals in the remaining hospitals are struggling to cope, while the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees has fuel reserves for only three more days to meet urgent requirements.
WHO states 150,000 liters of fuel are needed for basic services in Gaza’s five main hospitals. Abu Zahar, a hospital official, fears generator failure due to high demand, putting intensive care unit incubators at risk.
None of the 20 aid trucks entering Gaza contained fuel, as Israel feared it might be accessed by Hamas. Existing limited fuel supplies were directed to power hospital generators.
Guillemette Thomas from Doctors Without Borders warned that without urgent special care and medication, some babies in Gaza could die within hours, while others might succumb within a couple of days.
Al-Awda Hospital in northern Jabalia, despite receiving an evacuation order from the Israeli military, continues to operate with around 50 daily births, as stated by hospital director Ahmed Muhanna.
Nesma al-Haj took her newborn daughter to the hospital from Nuseirat, where she had been displaced from northern Gaza. She explained that her daughter experienced oxygen deprivation and intense pain.
The infant, born three days ago, faced complications. Speaking from al-Aqsa, the mother expressed concern about the hospital’s supply shortages, fearing there might be no medicine left for their children if the situation deteriorates.
