Tánaiste Simon Harris has expressed profound concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stating, “Children are starving before our eyes,” as over 100 aid organizations sounded the alarm about the alarming spread of “mass starvation” in the region.
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In a poignant statement, he remarked, “The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths of despair and misery.” This illustrates the dire situation faced by many, with Mr. Harris noting that daily lives are being lost due to a scarcity of food and medicine. He added with emphasis, “People are dying every day from lack of food and medicine,” highlighting that countless individuals have perished while seeking out what little sustenance remains.
“This is an affront to our collective humanity,” he declared, underlining the urgency of the situation. He also urged, “Israel must lift its blockade and allow the full resumption of humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza,” and called for the immediate release of hostages by Hamas to reunite families.
Echoing these sentiments, Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the ongoing events in Gaza as “beyond any comprehension.” He expressed distress at the “horrific” images coming out of the area and emphasized the gravity of the situation: “It’s a stain on Israel at this stage. It’s a shame that any government would continue a war that is wreaking such devastation on poor and innocent children.” He called for a “massive surge” in humanitarian aid to address the escalating crisis, also lamenting the diminishing role of the UN and relief organizations.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is intensifying, with over two million people facing severe shortages of basic necessities after 21 months of ongoing conflict. The UN has reported that more than 1,000 Palestinians have lost their lives while attempting to access food aid since the launch of the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in late May, which effectively sidelined the existing UN-led efforts.
According to Canadian surgeon Dr. Deirdre Nunan, who is currently working at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, healthcare facilities are struggling under immense pressure. She stated, “The last lifelines in Gaza are collapsing.” Dr. Nunan described the extreme shortages of medical supplies and deteriorating conditions, which force caregivers to deliver suboptimal care to patients with devastating injuries.
During an interview on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Dr. Nunan lamented the dire state of the Nasser Hospital, saying, “We are cobbling together what is left from the storage rooms to try to piece together something that resembles orthopedic fixation, providing what is unfortunately sub-optimal care in a totally unfit environment.” She further remarked on the serious conditions in the operating theatres, noting that less than half of the taps function, and there are days when they lack sufficient water or power to run essential equipment.
“I have to decide between the limited amount of time that we have in the operating room for which patient gets to go into which surgery on which day,” she admitted, highlighting the desperate circumstances that healthcare workers face. Health officials warn that hospitals are running out of fuel, food, and medicines, jeopardizing critical operational capabilities.
Dr. Nunan, who has been serving in Gaza since 2019 and is currently on her sixth tour, has observed a heartbreaking scene of despair. “It’s just one scene of desperation after another through the three weeks that I’ve been here,” she recounted, noting that many people now live amid the ruins of their homes or on hospital grounds, with children desperately begging for food and water.
Tragically, the head of Gaza’s largest hospital recently reported that 21 children have died from malnutrition and starvation within just three days. Dr. Nunan described the lives of her colleagues, surviving in tents among the debris, as ones defined by “bare survival.” She echoed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ statement that the critical support for the population is dwindling, saying, “I see it worsening before my eyes.”
More than 100 aid organizations have issued dire warnings about the spreading threat of mass starvation in Gaza amid increasing international scrutiny of the humanitarian crisis. “These are some of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met in the world,” said Dr. Nunan, reflecting on the resilience of the Gazan people who continue to offer warmth and generosity in their dire circumstances.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, she maintains a connection with her colleagues, some of whom she has known for years, emphasizing the strength of their shared bonds: “I’ve had multi-year friendships with a lot of my colleagues that we keep in touch even when I’m not here.” She concluded, “For me, it continues to be a privilege to come to Gaza, even though I am absolutely heartbroken and extremely angry with the world for allowing this desecration to take place and for doing so little to stop it.”
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
