It has now been more than a month (34 days) since the escalation of operations in North Gaza. Hundreds of thousands of civilians under constant bombardment are being denied the right to their homes, food, water, medical services and safe movement.

According to OCHA, more than 71,000 people were displaced from North Gaza governorate to Gaza city in the last three weeks of October and about 100,000 remain trapped in North Gaza.

A staff member from Al Awda’s hospital in Jabalia, which Relief International is supporting, says: “Recently the occupation forces targeted an Al Awda ambulance leading to its destruction and the martyrdom of two women and the survival a newborn baby.” This is only one of daily accounts from Al Awda Association in North Gaza.

Whilst the occupation forces withdrew from the vicinity of Al Awda’s Jabalia Hospital on Sunday 27 October, drone attacks continue to target the facility, even as injured men, women and children attempt to seek refuge there.

Since the siege on North Gaza began, the hospital has not received any supplies, food, water or fuel. Today the facility is running on one generator with no fuel left for continued operations.

For weeks, none of the hospitals in North Gaza have had enough resources to provide critically needed treatment to those that remain trapped in the region. International organizations and UN agencies continue to be denied access to deliver aid, fuel, water, and medicine to hospitals.

Despite the horrendous working conditions, and the unjust siege imposed on North Gaza, Al Awda’s Hospital staff in Jabalia continue their heroic work. Since 5 October 2024, Al Awda’s Jabalia Hospital has been able to provide 4,951 services, despite being encircled.

With the recent arrest of the last remaining Orthopedic and Reconstructive Surgeon in North Gaza, the region is left with limited specialized medical professionals.

While humanitarian agencies are committed to continuing to support the delivery of healthcare services to those most in need, the situation is dire, and time is running out. Repeated efforts by WHO, Relief International and other organizations to deliver supplies have been in vain.

Despite initial agreements being in place, entry has been denied just hours before the missions were planned. Even worse, while one mission was approved to deliver supplies to Kamal Adwan Hospital, the hospital was bombed just hours after the items arrived.

On behalf of Al Awda Association, and healthcare facilities, Relief International is imploring the international community not to forget the horror taking place in North Gaza.

Craig Redmond, CEO at Relief International says, “We are demanding an immediate ceasefire, the protection of civilians and health care workers who are trapped and safe passage to deliver medical supplies, food, fuel and water to hospitals – the last remaining lifelines for those in North Gaza.”

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Relief International-France in the occupied Palestinian territories

With support from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), Relief International has been expanding the capacity of Al-Awda’s Hospitals in Jabalia and Nuseirat, as well as supplying essential resources.

Since August, Al-Awda’s facilities have reached 2,000 people with secondary health services, including general and trauma surgery, reproductive healthcare and treatment for moderate and severe acute malnutrition.

Whilst the situation remains unpredictable, it is certain that the impact of this war will be lasting. In the long-term, Relief International is committed to working with Al-Awda to restore health facilities in Gaza, and to support the health and wellbeing of the people of Palestine.

About Relief International

Relief International is an international non-profit organization that partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and wellbeing. Our team of more than 7,000 staff and local volunteers work in 15 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, providing Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education and Livelihoods programming that creates the foundation for community resilience. We do this by working with local actors to develop safe and inclusive local programming that is evidence based, conflict sensitive, climate smart, and reaches those in need.