Tragic Loss: Deadly Drone Strike Claims Lives at Gaza Shelter
In the outskirts of Jabaliya, the Al-Nazla school in Saftawy, serving as a refuge for families and children escaping conflict, became the target of a devastating drone attack claiming numerous lives. The heartbreaking incident highlights the vulnerability of innocent civilians in war-torn regions.
At least 10 people, including children, lost their lives in Gaza on Saturday when a drone strike struck the school where they were seeking shelter. Local health workers reported this tragic incident.
The Al-Nazla school, located in Saftawy near Jabaliya, was serving as a temporary refuge for individuals escaping violence when the strike occurred.
Saleh Al-Aswad, an eyewitness from Jabaliya, shared with CNN that his son-in-law is currently receiving medical treatment for injuries from the attack. He also mentioned that a man who was simply baking bread for his children, believing it to be a secure place, tragically lost his life along with his daughter, Afnan, and his son, Mohamed.
CNN footage shows health workers at the Sheikh Radwan clinic tending to bodies wrapped in white sheets.
One health worker shows the body of the deceased toddler Mohamed with injuries to his face.
CNN has reached out to the Israeli military but has not yet heard back.
Healthcare system ‘on its knees’
The strike news arrives as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) issued a statement on Saturday morning, expressing concern about the dire state of Gaza's healthcare system. Access to hospitals and facilities is shrinking due to supply shortages and Israeli attacks, leading to a critical situation.
As of Friday, according to a report from OCHA citing the WHO, 15 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza were only partially functional. Additionally, 21 hospitals were out of service, and there were six functional field hospitals. The existing hospitals are currently operating at more than four times their bed capacity, as reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health.
The shortage of fuel, medical supplies, and equipment is putting the ability of the remaining health facilities to operate at risk, the agency added.
So serious is the situation that the director of the hospital in Rafah, Kuwait, made a video plea on WhatsApp. He asked for help from the WHO to ensure the hospital stays open by providing the fuel it needs.
Palestinians are waiting for aid trucks to cross in central Gaza Strip on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinians are waiting for aid trucks to cross in central Gaza Strip on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Abdel Kareem Hana/AP
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Dr. Suhaib al-Homs emphasizes in his video message that the Kuwait Hospital in central Rafah is currently the sole operational hospital where the injured public can receive care at any time. He highlights the challenges of accessing surrounding field hospitals without an ambulance.
He further expresses concern about the escalating health crisis due to hospitals shutting down and the overall deterioration of the healthcare sector.
We are committed to continuing our work, and the medical teams will continue to fulfill their responsibilities. The current situation only strengthens our determination to serve our people effectively.
The UN aid agency has issued a warning about the dire conditions faced by displaced individuals in central Gaza. They are now only able to access 3% of the minimum daily water requirements. Furthermore, there is a rise in communicable diseases such as diarrhea and suspected Hepatitis A, with young children under five years old being the most vulnerable.
Earlier this week, the WHO urged Israel to lift restrictions on aid going into Gaza. They mentioned that the main way for medical aid to reach Gaza from Egypt was blocked due to an Israeli army operation in Rafah.
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