The humanitarian crisis in Gaza could deteriorate significantly if Israel proceeds with its planned ground offensive against Hamas fighters in the southern part of the Palestinian enclave, as cautioned by Western doctors. Over a million civilians, many of whom are reportedly starving, have sought refuge in the area following previous Israeli attacks that destroyed their neighborhoods.
Dr. Zaher Sahloul, co-founder of the US-based MedGlobal medical charity, expressed his concerns during a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, stating that this crisis could be the worst outcome of the ongoing conflict. He emphasized the potential for a bloodbath and repeated massacres if an offensive is launched.
According to Sahloul, his colleagues in Gaza have warned that an Israeli assault on Rafah might result in up to 250,000 deaths. He was part of a group of Western doctors who recently visited Washington to meet with US lawmakers and officials, aiming to raise awareness about the dire humanitarian situation caused by the Israel-Hamas war.
These doctors, who had volunteered in Gaza earlier this year, appealed for a ceasefire and urged the cancellation of the planned offensive in Rafah. Dr. Nick Maynard, a UK surgeon with over a decade of experience working in the Palestinian territories, described witnessing appalling atrocities and injuries, particularly among women and children, during his time at Al-Aqsa [Martyrs] Hospital. He recounted a heartbreaking incident involving a severely burned young girl who was left without pain relief, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian intervention in the region.
