Gaza Civil Defense defies all odds to resume operations in Jabalia

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
13 Dec 2024 10:16

Despite the severe risks posed by the ongoing Israeli offensive, the team remains resolutely dedicated to its humanitarian mission.

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Screengrab from an Associated Press video shows medic Abed al-Aziz Bardini mourning next to the body of his mother on October 2024, in Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip. (AP)

The Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip resumed its operations and humanitarian services in Jabalia al-Balad and al-Nazla, prioritizing the urgent needs of citizens in northern Gaza. This effort aims to ensure continued support for those in the area despite the ongoing Israeli genocide.

Raed Dahshan, Director of the Civil Defense in Gaza Governorate, confirmed that a collaborative effort between Gaza and the northern governorates enabled the deployment of a firefighting vehicle, equipped with rescue tools and staffed by personnel who had been displaced from the northern regions to Gaza City. This allowed them to continue assisting local communities in need.

Dahshan emphasized that the Civil Defense took this action despite the substantial risks to its teams, as invading Israeli units have prevented the Civil Defense from operating in the northern governorate for over a month while intensifying attacks on residents.

The number of distress calls from the area has surged, highlighting the increasing humanitarian crisis.

He underscored that the Civil Defense’s operations are strictly humanitarian in nature, affirming that its mission is to respond to the calls for help from across Gaza.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Dahshan urged the international community and humanitarian organizations to take immediate action to strengthen humanitarian efforts and facilitate the resumption of Civil Defense activities in northern Gaza.

'Israel' blocks aid convoy to hospital amid dire humanitarian crisis

The Israeli army blocked a UN convoy carrying fuel and medical supplies meant to support the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza amid relentless Israeli bombings, the hospital's director said Thursday.

In a video statement, Hussam Abu Safiya said the World Health Organization (WHO) delegation informed them that the Israeli army denied entry to a convoy carrying critical fuel and medical supplies, forcing it to return to southern Gaza.

Dr. Saeed Joudah, the only orthopedic specialist at Kamal Adwan Hospital, was killed today by the Israeli occupation while en route to assess a medical case at al-Awda Hospital, just a week after losing his son, Majd, to the bombings. Nurse Kareem Jaradat was also martyred by a… pic.twitter.com/47n3VR3o5w
— Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) December 12, 2024

Highlighting the dire situation, he said, “There is a severe shortage of medical supplies needed to treat the injuries arriving at the hospital. We are operating at a minimum capacity with limited resources.”

“Daily operations occur under constant bombing, threats, and fear, with shrapnel landing in hospital sections due to nearby strikes,” Abu Safiya added.

The hospital director called on the international community to protect healthcare facilities and ensure the delivery of essential medical supplies.

Since October 5, almost no humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, and fuel has been allowed into the area, leaving the remaining population there on the verge of famine.

Nearly 4,000 people have since been killed in northern Gaza, according to Palestinian health authorities.