The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has issued an urgent appeal for fuel supplies to prevent the closure of Al Quds hospital in Gaza, which serves more than 500,000 people in the besieged enclave.
The PRCS said that the hospital’s fuel reserves will run out in 48 hours, disrupting its neo-natal and intensive care units, as well as its emergency and surgical departments.
The hospital has been struggling to cope with the influx of wounded and sick patients amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which has killed more than 10,000 people in Gaza since October 7, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
The PRCS said that the hospital has received three evacuation orders from the Israeli army in the past week, but has refused to comply, citing its humanitarian duty to provide medical care to the population.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed alarm over the situation, calling the threat to Al Quds hospital “unacceptable” and a violation of international humanitarian law.
The WHO said that it has been coordinating with the Egyptian authorities and other partners to facilitate the delivery of fuel and other essential supplies to Gaza, but that the Rafah crossing alone is not sufficient to meet the needs of the health sector.
The PRCS urged the international community to intervene and ensure the protection of medical facilities and personnel in Gaza, as well as the provision of humanitarian access and assistance.