Collapse of Cease-fire and Its Aftermath

The recent breakdown of the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas has triggered renewed violence, resulting in a significant influx of casualties to hospitals in Gaza. Medical facilities are grappling with the surge of injured individuals, many of whom are being triaged in makeshift tents outside due to the overwhelming demand within emergency rooms.

Medical Triage System in Crisis

Upon arrival, victims in the courtyard are assessed by healthcare professionals and categorized based on the severity of their injuries:

• Green: Minor injuries, treated with basic care and sent home.
• Yellow: Injuries that require hospital treatment.
• Red: Critical cases needing immediate medical intervention or surgery.

However, medical personnel face challenges beyond triage protocols, as a lack of sufficient medical supplies and equipment continues to jeopardize patient care. The recent malfunction of one of Gaza’s two CT scanners exemplifies these shortages.

Impact on Vulnerable Populations

Children, particularly vulnerable in densely populated areas, are suffering disproportionately from injuries sustained in the ongoing conflict. The situation has worsened as Israeli bombardments follow the Hamas-led attacks from October 2023, displacing families and forcing them into overcrowded shelters.

Recent Strikes and Casualties

The humanitarian situation deteriorated further following an Israeli strike on a school designated as a shelter in Gaza City, which resulted in at least 27 fatalities, according to health ministry figures. These statistics have faced scrutiny, as they do not differentiate between civilian casualties and combatants. Both Israeli forces and Palestinian civilians have expressed concerns regarding Hamas’s tactics of using civilian areas for military operations.

Verification of Eyewitness Accounts

Footage verified by The New York Times has captured the immediate chaos following the recent strike, showing rescue efforts as individuals, including children, were evacuated from the Dar al-Arqam school amidst flames and destruction.

In response to these incidents, the Israeli military announced an investigation into the reports surrounding the strike, but by Friday morning, they had not released any further comments regarding their findings.