The latest figures provided by the Ministry of Health indicate that 2 Palestinians were killed and 733 were injured by Israeli forces, during the demonstrations, from 14 to 27 August.

Out of the total 733 injuries, 325 required transfer to Ministry of Health hospitals or nongovernmental organizations clinics, including 71 children and 22 females. From the hospitalized injuries, 6 people had critically life threatening injuries, 127 moderate, 187 mild, and the remaining 5 were unspecified cases. 

The Ministry of Health and Palestinian Red Crescent Society set up 9 trauma stabilization points (TSPs). 408 injuries were managed and directly discharged at the TSPs. WHO continues to strengthen capacity of the TSPs across Gaza to provide life-saving interventions.  

Gaza’s 14 public hospitals rely on donated fuel to run generators during the electricity black-outs, which last 18–20 hours per day. The last batch of United Nations donated fuel, approximately 370 000 litres, entered Gaza via Karem Shalom on 12 and 13 August; and there is currently no funding to procure more fuel. As a result, the UN-funded emergency fuel will completely deplete in less than 2 weeks, forcing public hospitals to significantly reduce essential services. Intensive care units, operating theatres and other critical units will face interruptions. This will be immediately life-threatening for over 4800 patients a month relying on electrical devices, including neonates in incubators. An additional 120 000 patients regularly receiving treatment at the hospitals will also be immediately affected and 1.27 million people relying on public secondary health care will be impacted. There is also an increased risk of waterborne disease and outbreaks across Gaza as fuel is also needed for sewage systems.

In July, the Central Drug Store of the Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that 48% of essential medicines were at less than one month’s supply and 40% were completely depleted. In addition, 29% of essential disposables were at less than one month’s supply.

WHO Special Sitiuation Report, Gaza, oPt, 14–27 August 2018

We want protection, like anyone... We are clearly marked with high visibility vests when we work, and when we go forward to help people who have been injured we put our arms in the air as a sign to the soldiers that we are not a threat to them. Still we continue to be targeted.

Rami is a 29-year-old volunteer first responder and mental health support worker. He is a refugee who grew up in Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip. Rami joined the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS) in March 2018 to assist as a first responder during demonstrations that have been taking place in Gaza for the right to return of Palestinian refugees and against the on-going blockade of the Gaza Strip.

“We’re affected by too many wars and conflicts, so it’s critical to have people trained to provide immediate care for the injured.”

Rami has been injured three times during his volunteering as a first responder since the start of demonstrations on 30 March 2018. On one of these occasions, he was shot with live ammunition during an incident where his colleague Razan was killed. They were working together as part of a team of five.

“When we got close to some of those injured near the fence, the soldiers started firing at us with live bullets and gas. We retreated away from the fence and Rasha and Razan [two members of the team] fainted at that time from gas inhalation. Later, we stood away from the fence and Rasha suddenly noticed the soldiers had their weapons pointed at us. I moved just in time – I was shot in my left thigh and had a shrapnel wound in my right thigh and right hand, but it could have been a lot worse. Razan was shot in the chest. I didn’t see her after that because I was being treated, but I was told that she died half an hour later.

“We know the risks we face, but we also believe in the importance of our work and the need to provide good care for those who are injured. Still, nothing can prepare you for the psychological pain of losing a colleague and a friend like Razan. She was in such high spirits when she arrived to work on the day she died. She had a new phone and she wanted us to take selfies to put on social media.”

Rami continues to volunteer and provide care to those injured during the demonstrations every Friday, while working as a mental health support worker for PMRS in the week.

“We have all suffered but our work is bigger than our wounds. I went straight back the Friday after I was injured. I wasn’t able to work, but I wanted to show solidarity with my colleagues and to be with them after we lost Razan. We will keep coming to help as long as there are people who need us.”

We need humanitarian workers in this difficult situation. Gaza has been exposed to three wars in 6 years.  Life here is a constant emergency. Working with PRCS to help the sick and injured, you feel at least that you are able to improve things in some small way.

Imad is 34 years old and has been volunteering as a first responder with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) since 2006. He is a refugee who grew up in Deir al-Balah in the Middle Area of the Gaza Strip. Imad volunteered with PRCS to help those injured in demonstrations, until he was injured on 9 April while working as a member of a PRCS team east of al Bureij refugee camp.

“Just after 5 o’clock there was suddenly shooting from the barrier and I was hit in my right leg. We got out of the ambulance straight away and went to hide behind it [on the opposite side from the Gaza barrier]. At this point, the paramedics who were with me put a bandage on my leg to stop the bleeding and moved me to an ambulance and to take me to Al Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah. I was in Al Aqsa Hospital for about 30 minutes to receive first aid before they moved me to Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City. From there they transferred me to Shifa Hospital. In Shifa I had surgery. Doctors told me that if I hadn’t been able to have this surgery I would have lost my leg.”

Imad reports that during his 10 years working with PRCS, the teams he has worked with have often been targeted and he himself previously sustained some minor injuries.

After initial surgery, Imad had further operations to remove the bullet and to receive a skin graft. He had to rest for 50 days after his surgery, which he found frustrating:

“It’s difficult to be limited in your movement when you are used to being active. I miss my work and volunteering, and I miss playing football.”

Imad has been receiving physiotherapy rehabilitation from Médicins Sans Frontières in Gaza. Now, despite some improvements, he still faces difficulties.

“My leg is better but I still suffer from pain and numbness and I can’t walk more than 500 metres. Worse is the fear. I’m afraid to go back in an ambulance and I’m afraid to go back to work in the field. As long as I’m unable to return to the field I’ll continue my work as a trainer in first aid and international humanitarian law for first responders. But I want to get better and go back to working with the ambulances.  For me, it’s a duty that I feel to our patients and to Gaza.”

Related Links: 

Rami’s Story

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