Gaza: The Palestinian Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip announced on Friday that a large number of Palestinians have been arriving at hospitals and medical points in recent days with symptoms of an unidentified illness.
According to Anadolu Agency, the symptoms, as detailed by Health Ministry Director-General Munir al-Bursh, include high fever, joint pain, a runny nose, coughing, and diarrhea. Al-Bursh highlighted the challenges faced in diagnosing the condition due to the lack of basic medical facilities, such as laboratories and the ability to perform simple blood tests.
Medical staff in Gaza are compelled to provide treatment under extremely primitive conditions. The ongoing Israeli blockade and resource shortages exacerbate these challenges, forcing healthcare workers to use makeshift solutions like bricks to immobilize broken limbs, perform surgeries under the light of mobile phones, and manually carry out mechanical ventilation during frequent power outages caused by fuel shortages.
Al-Bursh described the dire circumstances, noting that these healthcare challenges occur amid broader issues, such as systematic starvation and threats of full occupation, which have begun with the destruction of residential neighborhoods. He stressed that the residents are in a state of dire humanitarian and health conditions, while the international community remains mostly silent.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen as a result of ongoing Israeli attacks and a blockade that severely limits humanitarian aid. The shortages of food, water, medicine, and hygiene supplies further exacerbate the suffering of the population.
Since October 2023, Israel has reportedly killed at least 63,000 Palestinians in Gaza. The military campaign has ravaged the enclave, which is facing famine. In response to these actions, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice concerning its military actions in the enclave.