Gaza: Escalating Violence Threatens Lives

 
After two months of a ceasefire and nearly two weeks of an aid blockade, renewed violence in Gaza is endangering the lives of innocent people. The recent ground offensive and airstrikes by Israel coupled with the continued closure of border crossings have created unsustainable conditions across Gaza as people live in constant fear without access to electricity, clean water, food, or proper healthcare. Movement across Gaza is significantly restricted for residents hoping to evacuate red zones and for patients to be transported. As a result, Project HOPE has been forced to suspend operations at all primary and maternal health clinics in Gaza this week to protect the safety of our staff and patients – leaving thousands without access to health services. Our trauma surgeons at Al Aqsa Hospital continue to treat severely injured civilians.  
 
Ongoing border closures have made it impossible for organizations like Project HOPE to bring in supplies, leading to critical shortages of all essential commodities.  This includes medicines like insulin and antibiotics, medical supplies, and medical equipment including ultrasound machines to detect pregnancy complications. The price of cooking gas has gone from $25/kg to $85/kg, making it unaffordable for families and organizations. As a result of current conditions, Project HOPE’s team has reported concerning health trends over the last week: 

• Influx of women and children seeking emergency care for traumatic injuries 

• Rise in gastrointestinal illnesses, likely linked to contaminated water and poor hygiene 

• Worsening malnutrition and dehydration cases among children and pregnant women due to food shortages 

• Increase in respiratory infections due to overcrowding and inadequate sanitation 

• Mental health distress and PTSD symptoms have escalated, particularly among children, with limited capacity for intervention due to medication shortages and destroyed mental health facilities 

Project HOPE urgently calls on all parties to allow for the importation of critical commodities and implement an immediate and permanent ceasefire agreement, including releasing all hostages. The only way to prevent the loss of more lives is for the violence to stop and for robust humanitarian aid shipments to be allowed to enter Gaza. 

Rabih Torbay, CEO and President of Project HOPE, said: 

“What we’re seeing happen in Gaza right now is nothing short of a humanitarian catastrophe. In just a matter of days, over 400 people have been killed. For the last two weeks, it’s been impossible for critical shipments of food and other lifesaving aid to enter Gaza. Entire families have been killed in attacks. Children do not have enough food to eat. People living with diabetes cannot access insulin. Nowhere and no one is safe. Our dedicated team of health workers treat up to 3,000 patients every week but overnight, we’ve been forced to close our clinics. Many of our staff are focused on evacuating on foot to seemingly safer areas, carrying only tents and essential belongings. Some team members even returned to our clinics to salvage medical supplies – carrying even more bags on their backs as they relocate. As violence and border closures continue, more and more people will die. We need a ceasefire now and border crossings must open.” 
 
Dr. Osama Hamed, Trauma Surgeon with Project HOPE at Al Aqsa Hospital, said:  
“Since March 18^th when the war began again, the situation at Al Aqsa Hospital in Deir al Balah has been extremely challenging. We have received multiple injuries related to war – the majority of which were women and children – and we have operated on at least 12 cases in the past 48 hours. Even during the ceasefire, the healthcare system in Gaza had been facing significant shortages of medical supplies, including surgical drapes, electrocautery, surgical sutures, surgical staples, as well as surgical instruments. This is significantly affecting our ability to save people’s lives.” 

Project HOPE has responded to the vast health needs in Gaza since December 2023, including operating multiple health clinics in Gaza and providing vital health services including primary care, maternal health, and specialty surgical and emergency care. The organization has deployed midwives across north and south Gaza to deliver critical maternal care, particularly in the north at Al Sahaba Maternity Hospital and provided psychosocial support and gender-based violence awareness activities at camps housing displaced families. Additionally, Project HOPE has established a supply chain that has delivered over 21,000 pounds of medical supplies to Gaza, while providing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) support for shelters and clinics. 

For Media Inquiries: Contact bjustus@projecthope.org (WhatsApp: +1 503-764-7864) or media@projecthope.org