Latest news with #AhmadAl-Farra
NBC News
11-07-2025
- Health
- NBC News
Gaza babies' lives at risk as Israel blocks fuel used in hospitals
Babies receiving critical care in Gaza risk becoming much sicker or even dying in the coming days as the enclave runs out of fuel and hospitals are forced to turn off incubators, doctors warn. Walking down a row of incubators in the neonatal unit of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, Dr. Ahmad Al-Farra, head of the facility's pediatric unit, shared each baby's story one by one. "This baby is a full-term baby," he told NBC News' crew on the ground Thursday, gesturing at a tiny figure tucked into an incubator, wrapped in only his diaper and with an oxygen tube fixed to his nose with surgical tape. "As you can see, he is depending on the mechanical ventilation," Al-Farra said. "If the electricity was cut off ... this baby will not survive." His warning evokes memories of early on in the war, when a number of infants died at hospitals in northern Gaza after repeated warnings that a military assault in the area would end up being fatal for the babies. Nasser Hospital is just one of several facilities in Gaza facing "imminent shutdown" as fuel stocks in the enclave run out, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned Wednesday. The closure of vital units would most likely result in patients' deaths, including in the intensive care and neonatal units, it said. OCHA added that the "total ban on fuel entry" enforced by Israel for around 130 days was to blame for the shortages, which it said has also severely impacted water, sanitation and hygiene services. While Israel in May lifted a blockade that prevented the entry of food, medical supplies and other vital items, it has only allowed in a limited amount of aid, including"basic" food supplies. "The real threat to babies in Gaza isn't a lack of fuel — it's Hamas," David Mencer, a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said in response to a request from NBC News for comment to the warnings of a fuel crisis at hospitals in the enclave. "They hijack fuel for terror, not hospitals," he said. Mencer did not answer the question as to whether more fuel would be allowed to reach hospitals in Gaza in the near future. COGAT, the Israeli military's liaison with the Palestinians, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Dr. Mohammad Saqer, director of nursing at Nasser Hospital, told NBC News that the facility only had around 3,000 liters (790 gallons) of diesel left. He said it needed 4,500 liters (1,190 gallons) daily to operate all departments effectively. Already, he said, the hospital had turned off electricity for some departments, funneling power to only the most vital units. "The situation is very catastrophic because the electricity will abruptly go off within 24 hours," Saqer said. "This means that a lot of patients, especially in the ICU in addition to other departments, are subject to inevitable death." Hospitals across the enclave have struggled to operate throughout the war, after being hit hard in Israel's offensive. Of the territory's 36 hospitals, none are fully functioning; 18 are providing partial services and 18 are not working at all, according to World Health Organization data last updated Monday. Saqer, meanwhile, called on the international community to step in and help get fuel to Gaza's hospitals in order to "save the lives of the children." His call came as the European Union foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said in a post on X on Thursday that E.U. officials had reached a new deal with Israel to allow much-needed food and fuel into the enclave. Kallas said the deal could result in 'more crossings open, aid and food trucks entering Gaza, repair of vital infrastructure and protection of aid workers." Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar acknowledged the deal at a conference in Vienna, according to The Associated Press.
Days of Palestine
05-07-2025
- Health
- Days of Palestine
‘They're Skin and Bones': Doctors Warn of Rising Infant Deaths Amid Formula Shortage
DayofPal– A mounting humanitarian crisis in Gaza has left hundreds of infants at risk of death due to a severe shortage of baby formula, with doctors warning that supplies may run out within days. As the Israeli blockade continues to restrict aid deliveries, medical professionals and desperate mothers say they are witnessing the rapid deterioration of children's health, especially among the most vulnerable. Dr Ahmad Al-Farra, head of paediatrics at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, described the situation as 'catastrophic.' His ward, already out of specialized formula for premature infants, is rationing the remaining supply of standard infant formula. 'I can't begin to describe how bad things are. Right now, we have enough formula for about one week. But we also have infants outside the hospital without any access to milk. It's catastrophic,' Al-Farra told The Guardian by phone. With widespread food insecurity and maternal malnutrition reaching extreme levels, many mothers are unable to breastfeed, increasing dependence on formula that is no longer readily available. Aid shipments via the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) have reportedly excluded infant formula altogether, further worsening the crisis. Hanaa Al-Taweel, a 27-year-old mother of five living in al-Nuseirat refugee camp, said her 13-month-old child is already suffering from malnutrition-related stunting. 'The problem of getting milk started since my son's birth, as due to my malnutrition and general weakness I wasn't able to breastfeed my baby,' she said. Her son is developing more slowly than her older children, who had begun walking and speaking by his age. 'I try to keep a small piece of bread next to me when he sleeps because he wakes up often asking for food,' she added. 'I feel sadness and fear for my children, I fear they will die from hunger, thirst and disease.' Since the start of the war in October 2023, at least 66 Palestinian children have died of starvation, according to local health officials. Amnesty International has accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war against civilians in Gaza, saying this is part of a campaign to 'inflict genocide against Palestinians.' Foreign doctors and aid workers say many resort to smuggling small quantities of infant formula in their luggage. In one case, Israeli border authorities confiscated 10 cans of preterm infant formula from the bag of an American doctor attempting to enter Gaza. 'In the end they confiscated all the cans of baby formula, which was specifically formula for pre-term babies. What on earth is baby formula going to do against the security of the state of Israel?' asked Dr Diana Nazzal, a Palestinian-German eye surgeon who helped pack the supplies. Many medical professionals are now prioritizing calorie-dense food like protein bars and nuts over traditional medical equipment when entering the strip. 'Infant formula has become more critical as the hunger crisis has worsened,' said Dr Nazzal. With nearly 500,000 people in Gaza now facing catastrophic levels of hunger, according to UN reports, the supply of infant formula on the black market has become both rare and exorbitantly priced. A single can now sells for approximately $50, ten times its regular price. Nourhan Barakat, a 25-year-old mother of three displaced to Khan Younis, said she was able to breastfeed her baby for only a month due to food shortages. 'I know that breastfeeding strengthens the bond between mother and child – but what can I do?' she said. In late June, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported that about 112 children are being admitted to hospitals daily for malnutrition. Experts warn that malnutrition in early childhood can lead to permanent cognitive and physical development issues. 'This whole generation is being targeted. They will suffer from memory problems, developmental delays,' said Dr Al-Farra. 'And the problem is even if nutrition becomes available later on, the damage is permanent.' 'You should see the children arriving,' said Dr Al-Farra. 'They're just skin and bones. It's horrifying. The real solution is to end the war, open the crossings and allow baby formula in.' Shortlink for this post:
Days of Palestine
22-06-2025
- Health
- Days of Palestine
500 Patients Die in Gaza Due to Delays in Medical Referrals
DayofPal– At least 500 patients and wounded people in the Gaza Strip have recently died as a result of prolonged delays in issuing medical referrals and travel permits for treatment, according to Palestinian medical officials. The crisis is part of a systematic targeting of the Palestinian healthcare system by Israeli forces, in violation of international law. Dr. Ahmad Al-Farra, head of the Pediatric and Maternity Department at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, reported that the hospital received dozens of severe and life-threatening injuries today following continued Israeli airstrikes. He warned that the hospital is no longer able to accept new cases due to overwhelming patient numbers and critical shortages of medical supplies and equipment. 'The Israeli occupation continues to deliberately dismantle the Palestinian medical infrastructure,' Dr. Al-Farra said. 'Hundreds of lives have been lost not only due to bombings but also because of bureaucratic and political delays that prevent urgent medical evacuations.' He also criticized the so-called 'humanitarian aid' being distributed by a U.S.-affiliated company with alleged ties to Israeli authorities. According to Dr. Al-Farra, these aid distributions have worsened conditions and led to additional injuries among civilians, rather than alleviating suffering. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that 41 people were killed in Israeli strikes since dawn today, with many of the casualties being civilians. Hospitals across the Gaza Strip remain under extreme pressure, struggling to cope with the relentless influx of the wounded amid dwindling resources. Medical officials and human rights groups have condemned the blockade on medical evacuations and the targeting of health facilities, urging the international community to intervene and uphold international humanitarian law. The bloody genocide and humanitarian crisis associated with in Gaza continue to escalate, with no signs of reprieve for the Strip's embattled healthcare system or its vulnerable civilian population. Shortlink for this post:
Days of Palestine
19-06-2025
- Health
- Days of Palestine
Warnings of Imminent Deaths Among Premature Infants as Formula Supplies Run Out in Gaza
DaysofPal – Dr. Ahmad Al-Farra, Head of Pediatrics and Maternity at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, has issued a dire warning: infant formula has not entered the Gaza Strip in over four months—neither through the healthcare system, the private sector, nor international organizations—resulting in a total depletion of critical supplies. In a press statement, Dr. Al-Farra revealed that 25 infants are currently in the neonatal unit at Nasser Medical Complex, all of whom are suffering due to the absence of types 1 and 2 formula, along with specialized formulas needed for premature babies. 'We have reached zero hour,' he said. 'Without immediate intervention, the lives of premature and newborn children are at risk in the next 48 hours.' He called on all relevant authorities and humanitarian bodies to exert pressure on the Israeli authorities to allow infant formula into Gaza immediately. UNICEF has also sounded the alarm, noting that children undergoing treatment for malnutrition are now in grave danger. Since March 18, 2025, 21 nutrition treatment centers—15% of Gaza's outpatient facilities—have been shut down due to Israeli evacuation orders or direct bombardment. This closure has left about 350 children without access to essential nutritional treatment, placing their lives at imminent risk of worsening malnutrition. UNICEF further warned that supplementary infant foods, crucial for child development amid food shortages, have been entirely depleted in central and southern Gaza. Only enough ready-to-use infant formula remains to support 400 children for one month. The agency estimates that nearly 10,000 infants under six months old require supplementary feeding. With no access to formula, many families are forced to resort to unsafe substitutes mixed with contaminated water, compounding the health risks. Due to the ongoing war, genocide, and mass displacement, UNICEF has also been forced to scale back mental health services, psychosocial support, mine risk education, and child protection case management. According to Gaza's Government Media Office, Israel is deliberately committing mass starvation by maintaining a total blockade of Gaza's border crossings. Over the past two months, no humanitarian aid has been allowed in, with more than 18,600 aid trucks and 1,550 fuel trucks blocked, and over 60 food kitchens and aid distribution centers bombed. The unfolding crisis threatens to result in preventable deaths of infants and children in the coming hours and days unless immediate humanitarian access is restored. Shortlink for this post:
Egypt Independent
05-05-2025
- Health
- Egypt Independent
Hamas executes Palestinians for looting as desperation grows under Israeli blockade
CNN — Hamas has executed six Palestinians in Gaza and shot 13 others in the legs for alleged looting, the militant group said in a statement, as desperation grows under a complete Israeli blockade that has now entered its third month. In a statement issued Friday, Hamas said it would carry out more executions against 'every criminal we can reach in the next two days.' Since last week, armed gangs have increasingly taken to the streets of Gaza City, going after some of the remaining food supplies and challenging Hamas' control of the territory, according to CNN journalists in Gaza. Hamas claims some of these 'criminal gangs' are collaborating with Israel. 'A warning has been issued – those who ignore it bear full responsibility,' Hamas said in the statement. The executions – and Hamas' vow that more will follow – is a stark reminder that the militant group, even weakened after more than 18 months of war, retains power in Gaza. As food supplies have begun running out across the coastal enclave, Palestinians have grown increasingly desperate to find whatever food remains. On Wednesday night, thousands of people stormed a UN facility and multiple warehouses across Gaza City looking for remnants of meals, such as flour or canned food, according to a journalist who witnessed one such incident. Hamas claimed some of the alleged looters were collaborating with Israel. On Saturday, Hamas' Ministry of Interior and National Security claimed that 'a group of outlaws, collaborators with the occupation, has emerged to threaten the lives of citizens, spreading fear and chaos in some neighborhoods, and attacking public and private properties.' Scenes of mass hunger have become far more common as Gaza's population of 2.1 million Palestinians edges closer to famine. Israel imposed a complete blockade of Gaza on March 2, stopping the supplies of humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, into the besieged territory. Dr. Ahmad Al-Farra, the head of the pediatric department at Nasser Medical Complex in Gaza warned over the weekend that 'a looming health catastrophe is threatening the lives of hundreds of thousands.' 'We are facing the danger of a massive wave of deaths due to malnutrition if the current humanitarian crisis continues unaddressed,' he told CNN. Earlier Saturday, two-month-old Janan Saleh Al-Sakkafi died due to malnutrition at Al-Rantisi Hospital, Dr. Munir Al Barsh, Director General of the Ministry of Health in Gaza told CNN. The US State Department said an announcement regarding humanitarian aid is possible 'in the coming days' that would allow much-needed food and medicine to reach the Palestinian population without being diverted by Hamas or Islamic Jihad. 'Safeguards are finally in place. Israel remains secure, Hamas empty handed, and Gazans with access to critical aid,' a State Department spokesperson said. The spokesperson described the project as an element of 'creative thinking' but did not provide any details on how it would function in Gaza. An unnamed private foundation would manage the aid mechanism and the delivery of the humanitarian supplies into Gaza, the spokesperson said. Since taking power in the enclave in 2007, Hamas has executed dozens of suspects including some accused of collaborating with Israel. The Israeli military, meanwhile, is pressing on with chief of staff Eyal Zamir saying on Sunday that the IDF would issue 'tens of thousands' of orders to reservists in the coming week, to ramp up its offensive in the enclave. Khader Al-Za'anoun of Wafa, the official Palestinian news agency, contributed to this story.
