Gaza's last field hospital overwhelmed by surge in gunshot injuries
Over the past month, a dramatic rise in mass casualty incidents near aid distribution sites has pushed Gaza’s already crippled healthcare system beyond its limits, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The 60-bed Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah, now the last fully functioning hospital in the area, has been operating beyond maximum capacity almost every day. Medical staff are struggling to manage a constant influx of injuries, the majority of which are caused by gunfire.
Since the opening of new aid distribution points around May 27, the field hospital has treated more than 2,200 people with weapon-related injuries, most from over 21 separate mass casualty events. Over 200 deaths have been recorded during this period.
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“The scale and frequency of these incidents are unprecedented,” the ICRC said. “In just over a month, the number of patients treated has already exceeded the total from all mass casualty events during the entire previous year.”
“In the previous rotations, we would work on 8–10 cases a day in the operating theatre. Now, we’re handling 30–40 daily, which is a massive increase in workload,” said Haitam al-Hasan, an operating theatre nurse.
“We have people screaming, rushing to be first in line, of course, everyone wants to be treated first. We’re seeing a variety of injuries: complex trauma, blast wounds, and mostly gunshot injuries.”
Among the injured are toddlers, teenagers, elderly people, mothers, and predominantly, young men and boys. Many say they were simply trying to collect food or aid for their families.
In response to the overwhelming demand, physiotherapists are assisting nurses by cleaning wounds, dressing injuries, and monitoring vital signs. Cleaners are helping carry stretchers. Midwives have even stepped into palliative care roles, providing pain relief and offering comfort to the dying.
Since opening, the Red Cross Field Hospital has provided more than 100,000 consultations and conducted over 4,600 surgical procedures.
