Amidst international negligence, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society has announced the depletion of the oxygen stock at Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis, South Gaza, due to the continued blockade imposed by the occupation forces. They warned of the inability of medical teams to perform surgical operations under such circumstances.
The society clarified in a statement that they are coordinating with the International Committee of the Red Cross to explore the possibility of providing a safe passage for oxygen cylinders to reach the hospital.
The depletion of the oxygen supply at Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis is an urgent and serious human rights issue. This crisis blatantly contradicts international laws and principles governing human rights and international humanitarian law, especially regarding the protection and care of civilians during conflicts and crises.
Access to adequate healthcare is a fundamental human right, which includes the provision of necessary medical supplies such as oxygen. Its shortage poses a threat to the lives of patients, especially those in urgent need of surgical procedures, jeopardizing their right to life.
The current crisis at Al-Amal Hospital necessitates urgent action from the international community to ensure the protection of patients’ rights and the provision of necessary medical care for them. The Israeli occupation must be held accountable for its violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, which stipulate the protection of medical facilities and personnel during conflicts.
Since October 7th, the Israeli occupation army has been waging a devastating war on the Gaza Strip, leading to immense humanitarian conditions and causing a major health and environmental catastrophe due to the destruction of vital facilities and widespread sewage overflow.
At the beginning of the war, the occupation cut off all electricity, water, fuel, and food supplies to the entire population of the Gaza Strip. They bombarded hospitals, healthcare centers, bakeries, factories, stores, and water stations and tanks, destroying the infrastructure.
The Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and human rights, endangering the lives and properties of civilians and causing them immense suffering. This necessitates urgent and decisive intervention from the international community to stop the aggression and protect civilians in the region.
