DOCTORS DESCRIBE ATROCITIES SEEN IN GAZA

The situation in Gaza is heartbreaking.

Since the 7 October escalation in the 75-year Palestine-Israel conflict, Israel’s military operation has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians, injured more than 74,000 and destroyed about 70 per cent of homes.

Doctors who have been treating Palestinians see the impacts daily, as Dr Nick Maynard explained at a recent press conference held at the United Nations in New York.

He recalled the injuries that have kept him awake at night, particularly those of women and children. In one case, he said a child’s burns were so severe that facial bones showed. Yet, not a drop of morphine was available to dull the pain of a child who was due to die.

Since 7 October, more than 13,000 children have been killed, with women and children making up 80 per cent of deaths. Lack of fuel, medical supplies and clean water, as well as the threat of being held hostage, tortured and/or killed, are among the challenges hospital staff face.

Maynard was travelling last week with a delegation of doctors headed to Washington to meet with US officials to press for an immediate ceasefire.

Then, on 25 March, after more than five months of attempts, the UN Security Council voted in favour of an immediate ceasefire. Only the United States abstained. However, the ceasefire will only be effective for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ends in two weeks. The resolution also calls for the flow of aid and the release of 134 Israeli hostages held in Gaza. However, it did not mention the more than 2,000 Palestinians held without charge in Israeli prisons.