Today, the International Committee of the Red Cross, along with its partners, is opening a field hospital in southern Gaza in an attempt to meet what it describes as the "immense" demand for healthcare services since the onset of the Israeli military operation in Rafah last week. Some clinics have suspended their activities while patients and paramedics fled from a large hospital as Israel intensified its bombardment on the southern part of the region, where hundreds of thousands of displaced people from other areas are located.
The International Committee stated, "People in Gaza are struggling to obtain the urgent medical care they need, partly due to the immense demand for medical services and the reduction in the number of operational medical facilities. Doctors and nurses are working around the clock, but demand has exceeded their capacity."
The committee mentioned that the staff at the new facility will be able to treat around 200 people daily and can provide urgent surgical services while also dealing with an influx of injuries in addition to offering pediatric services and more.
It said, "The medical team is facing cases of individuals with serious injuries and an increase in infectious diseases that could lead to a potential outbreak, as well as complications associated with chronic illnesses that have been delayed in receiving treatment." The International Committee will supply medical supplies for the facility, while Red Cross societies from 11 countries, including Canada, Germany, Norway, and Japan, will provide personnel and equipment.
