Main Hospital in Gaza in Darkness; Red Cross: Health System Has Reached a Point of No Return

On Saturday, November 20, the Red Cross announced that the health system in the Gaza Strip is 'collapsed' and that the healthcare system in the region has 'reached a point of no return,' putting the lives of thousands of injured, sick, and displaced individuals at risk. The Red Cross called for immediate protection of all civilians, including humanitarian and medical staff in Gaza. According to the report, Shifa, the main hospital in Gaza, is facing power outages and a lack of oxygen, which has led to the death of an infant and several other patients, according to the hospital's director and the health ministry under Hamas control. On Friday, November 19, videos circulated on social media showing Shifa hospital in Gaza being hit by rocket fire. In response to the explosion at Shifa hospital, the Israeli army denied any involvement and stated that a misfired projectile launched by 'Palestinian terrorist groups' was responsible for the incident. Doctors Without Borders also stated on Saturday that Shifa hospital has been attacked multiple times, including in maternity and outpatient sections, resulting in casualties. The report indicated that without access to fuel to operate generators, Shifa hospital has plunged into darkness, and its medical devices have ceased to function. In recent weeks, Shifa hospital had relied on generators and fuel reserves that are now depleted. The World Health Organization announced on Friday, November 19, that 20 out of 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip are not operational. Tedros Adhanom, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, stated that the United Nations has verified over 250 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza and the West Bank, including hospitals, clinics, ambulances, and patients. He said, 'The situation on the ground is indescribable. Hospital corridors are filled with injured, sick, and dying individuals. Refrigerators are full. Surgeries are being performed without anesthesia, and tens of thousands of displaced people have taken refuge in hospitals.' The New York Times reported that due to a shortage of staff, surgeons have been forced to operate with flashlights. Supplies of food, water, and medicine have also dwindled significantly, and according to health workers, some surgeries, including amputations and brain surgeries, are being performed without anesthesia. According to the New York Times, in the intensive care unit of Shifa hospital, after the shutdown of ventilators, medical staff spent long hours providing manual ventilation for some patients. The Israeli army claims that Hamas uses this hospital as a cover for its operations, has created bunkers beneath the hospital complex, and uses civilians seeking refuge there as human shields. Hamas and Shifa hospital staff have denied these allegations. Israel has seized 11 Hamas bases; fighting continues around Shifa hospital in the heart of Gaza. Hamas confirmed the fighting with the Israeli army around Shifa hospital in Gaza. The Israeli army stated that the explosion at Shifa hospital was caused by a misfire from Palestinian groups. Troops are advancing towards Gaza's main hospital; Israel claims Hamas's command center is located in this hospital. Italy is sending a hospital ship to Gaza to assist injured Palestinian civilians. Israel claims Hamas uses ambulances to transport weapons and fighters. Hospitals and children's playgrounds are being used as human shields by Hamas; Israel has released evidence of Hamas's use of civilian infrastructure. An attack on an ambulance convoy in Gaza; Israel claims Hamas terrorists were inside.