Situation in Gaza hospital is 'catastrophic', says London doctor stuck in region

A neonatal physician from London, Ont. who went to Gaza City to visit his parents has found himself volunteering at a local hospital where he describes treating patients in an increasingly desperate situation as the Israel-Hamaswar continues.

Dr. Ehab Bader spoke to CBC NewsFriday from his parent's home asthe sound of air raid sirens blew in the background.

Atleast 1,600 Palestiniansand 1,200 Israelis have been killed since Saturday when a deadly Hamas surprise attack on Israel resulted in Israel's prime minister issuing a declaration of war and launching airstrikes in the Gaza Strip.

"The situation in the hospital is catastrophic," Bader said."We have only a few hours before we run out of electricity."

The hospital's power is coming from gas generators, Bader said, now that power in Gazahas been shut off by Israeli forces. He said that is putting surgical teams in crisis mode as they try to operate on the wounded.

He said he's also worried about the many patients in the intensive care unit who are connected to ventilators and other medical machines.

"Without these machines, they don't survive," Bader said.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the World Health Organization said medical supplies at seven major hospitals in Gaza had completely run out.

A 'few drops of water'

The UN'ssecretary-general said on Monday he is "deeply distressed" by Israel's blockade.

"The humanitarian situation inGazawas extremely dire before these hostilities. Now, it will only deteriorate exponentially,''Antonio Guterres said at a news conference in New York.

Government officials said Friday that Canadians may have an opportunity to leave Gaza on Saturday, but it has not yet been confirmed.

Bader said he has called the Canadian embassy in Tel Aviv and the Canadian mission in Ramallah, but has not yet received a response.

He said heading into the weekend he is fearful for himself and his parents, especially as their basic needs run out.

"All that I have are a few drops of water for me and for them, and we barely have food. The situation is catastrophe," he said.

Doctor in Gaza says supply blockade means 'it's a mess everywhere'

11 months ago

Duration 14:26

Dr. Hammam Alloh, an internal medicine physician in Gaza City, says Israel's blockade means doctors must constantly manage shortages of drugs, blood products, fresh water and power.