Hospitals are meant to be
sanctuaries of healing, places where the wounded find solace, and where medical
professionals fight to preserve life. However, in Gaza, these very institutions
have turned into battlegrounds, caught in the relentless crossfire of an
enduring conflict. The war-torn enclave, already burdened with an overwhelmed
healthcare system, has seen its hospitals become targets, shelters, and centers
of resistance all at once.
The Vulnerability of Gaza’s Healthcare System
Even before the latest
escalation, Gaza’s healthcare system was already on the verge of collapse.
Years of blockade, inadequate medical supplies, and power shortages had left
hospitals struggling to function. When war erupted, the situation worsened
dramatically. Israel’s military campaign, launched in response to Hamas
attacks, led to bombardments that damaged or destroyed key medical facilities.
Meanwhile, hospitals also became the last refuge for thousands of displaced
civilians, turning them into overburdened shelters.