By Muslim Mirror Staff
A young Palestinian child recently underwent a surgical procedure without the aid of anaesthesia. The child recited verses from the Quran as a doctor performed the surgery on his leg. This extraordinary scene unfolded in the Gaza Strip, where the strict siege imposed by Israel has left medical facilities grappling with a shortage of essential supplies, including anaesthesia.
The Palestinian people have faced numerous challenges due to the ongoing conflict in the region. The blockade of the Gaza Strip has significantly strained the healthcare system, leading to a shortage of critical medical resources. Among the consequences of this dire situation is the shortage of anaesthesia, a necessity for surgical procedures to alleviate pain and discomfort.
In this moving display of resilience, the Palestinian child found solace in the recitation of the Quran, the holy book of Islam. The verses provided spiritual comfort as the young patient braved the surgical operation without anaesthesia, which is typically administered to alleviate pain during such procedures.
In the Gaza Strip, hospitals are on the brink of collapse due to the Israeli blockade, which has severely restricted power, food, and essential supplies to the territory. The healthcare system is grappling with acute shortages of clean water, basic pain relief, and infection prevention items.
Moreover, fuel for generators is running low, exacerbating the crisis. Israel initiated its bombing campaign in response to an incursion by Hamas militants on October 7, resulting in over 1,400 casualties, primarily civilians, and the abduction of more than 200 individuals. The offensive has left neighbourhoods in ruins, forced the closure of five hospitals, and overwhelmed the remaining healthcare facilities with a higher caseload than they can manage.
“We have a shortage of everything, and we are dealing with very complex surgeries,” Abed, who works with Doctors Without Borders, told The Associated Press from Al Quds Hospital. The medical center is still treating hundreds of patients in defiance of an evacuation order the Israeli military gave Friday. Some 10,000 Palestinians displaced by the bombing have also taken refuge in the hospital compound.
After days of border delays, a limited supply of food, water, and medicine finally made its way into Gaza from Egypt on Saturday. Out of a 20-truck aid convoy, only four trucks were able to transport drugs and medical supplies, according to the World Health Organization. However, aid workers and medical professionals on the ground are sounding the alarm, stressing that this influx of resources falls far short of what is needed to confront the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.