GAZA – Save the Children released a
report stating an average of 10 children in Gaza lose one or both of their legs
every day since
October 7 last year due to Israeli bombardment, Jo24 reported.
اضافة اعلان
In
almost four months, more than 1,000 children had one or both of their legs
amputated, according to
UNICEF. Children’s
limbs were amputated without anesthesia, as the health system in Gaza suffers from a severe shortage of
necessary medical supplies such as anesthesia and antibiotics, according to the
WHO.
According
to Save the Children’s report, there are currently only 13 out of 36 hospitals
in Gaza that are partially operational, amid major challenges related to access
to fuel and
basic medical supplies. Nine hospitals in the south are also
partially operational with only one-third capacity.
The
number of paramedics working in the sector has decreased by about 70 percent
since the start of the war, according to the WHO.
Jason
Lee, director of
Save the Children in Palestinian, says, “I see the frustration
of doctors and nurses when they see children’s wounds resulting from explosions
and they are unable to help them due to the lack of necessary equipment and
medicines to treat them or even relieve their pain.” He adds, “even in the
toughest times of war, this cannot be accepted.”
“The
suffering of children cannot be imagined, especially since it could have been
completely avoided. Those responsible for this serious violation of the bodies
and lives of children must be held accountable,” he states “unless the
international community assumes its responsibilities and takes a clear position
on preventing crimes under international law, history will not forget us all
and will hold us accountable. We must learn from the lessons of the past to
prevent further heinous crimes.”
Diala
Khamra, the Executive Director of
Save the Children Jordan, says that in the
face of the terrifying numbers of children who are losing their limbs as a
result of the violent and ongoing bombing of Gaza for more than three months,
immediate action must be taken to provide adequate health care for the victims
and prevent more children from experiencing this harsh and painful ordeal.
“We
have a humanitarian responsibility and duty to protect the lives of civilians
and children and ensure their safety. Only a decisive and immediate decision to
cease fire will achieve that,” she added.
Khamra
pointed out that “in light of the weakness of health care services and the
absorptive capacity of hospitals, the international community must bear its
responsibility in providing the necessary treatment for those injured in the
war, including the installation of prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation.”
Save
the Children has been providing basic services and support to Palestinian
children since 1953. A team from Save the Children works in the Palestinian
territories to provide vital supplies to support those in need and to find ways
to deliver aid to Palestinian children in Gaza.
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