Gaza: dogs eating corpses in streets after health system collapse, says doctor

Dogs are eating the corpses of Palestinians who have died in the streets of Gaza, the director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City has told Anadolu. Dr Muhammad Abu Salmiya made his comment as he pointed out the tragic humanitarian and health conditions in northern Gaza after the collapse of health and emergency services, including civil defence and ambulances.

“People are dying in the streets, dogs are devouring corpses, and no one in the world cares about it,” said Abu Salmiya. “The northern Gaza Strip is being subjected to annihilation and genocide for the 26th day and in full view of the entire world. At least a thousand Palestinians have been killed and hundreds have been wounded, very few of whom have been treated.”

The doctor said that people carry the martyrs and wounded on their backs or on carts pulled by animals. “Many of those wounded and sick have died in northern Gaza due to the lack of healthcare. This is tragic in every sense of the word and beyond comprehension or reason.” The smell of death and destruction is in every place and every alley, he added.

Dr Abu Salmiya said on Friday that the Israeli army stormed Kamal Adwan Hospital for two days, during which soldiers destroyed its facilities and detained at least 46 medical personnel working in the hospital as well as patients and wounded who were there at the time. “There are now only two doctors inside the hospital, including its director, Hussam Abu Safia, to serve more than 150 wounded and sick people, without any medicines, medical supplies or operating materials.”

He explained that the hospital that used to provide services to the entire governorate, now does not have any surgeons, because the Israeli army arrested the only surgeons who were there, including the orthopaedic surgeon. Abu Salmiya quoted Abu Safia as saying that the hospital is unable to provide treatment to any of the wounded or sick due to the lack of supplies and medicines and the lack of medical personnel. He called on the world to save the Palestinians in northern Gaza who are dying in full view of the world.

“International organisations must fulfil their humanitarian duty by sending medical delegations and bringing in medicines, medical supplies, food and water to the northern governorate,” said Abu Salmiya.

The Israeli army began unprecedented bombings against large areas in the northern Gaza Strip on 5 October, before invading it the next day under the pretext of “preventing Hamas from regaining its strength.” The Palestinians say that Israel wants to displace them and occupy the area.

The attack coincided with a tight siege, which has caused hospitals in the northern governorate to go out of service and led to the suspension of civil defence services and ambulances affiliated with the Palestine Red Crescent Society. A complete siege was imposed on 18 October, with all communications and internet networks cut off, limiting the authorities’ ability to obtain and share information.

Israel has been waging a genocidal war in Gaza since last October. It has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians, mainly women and children, and wounded at least 101,000. An estimated 11,000 people are missing, presumed dead, under the rubble of their homes and other civilian infrastructure destroyed by Israel.

OPINION: The long history of Palestine: Why Palestinians are winning the legitimacy war