The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) announced on Tuesday that the oxygen station at Al-Quds Hospital in Tal al-Hawa, southwest Gaza City, has ceased operations after being struck by gunfire from Israeli forces.
The PRCS issued an urgent warning about the deteriorating conditions surrounding the hospital, emphasizing the immediate threat to patient safety.
In an official statement, PRCS said: “The oxygen station at Al-Quds Hospital, operated by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Tal al-Hawa, Gaza City, has been forced to shut down due to direct gunfire from Israeli occupation forces.”
The hospital is now relying solely on pre-filled oxygen cylinders, which are expected to last no more than three days.
This temporary solution poses a grave risk to patients, particularly those in intensive care and undergoing surgery, whose survival depends on a continuous oxygen supply.
PRCS further reported that Israeli military vehicles are stationed at the hospital’s southern gate, effectively blocking all entry and exit. This situation is preventing the movement of medical staff, patients, and emergency supplies, compounding the crisis.
The organization expressed deep concern over the escalating danger in the vicinity of the hospital, warning that the lives of both patients and medical personnel are in jeopardy. It reiterated that hospitals must remain safe havens for civilians and are entitled to special protection under international humanitarian law.
PRCS called on the international community to take immediate and decisive action to safeguard medical teams and patients inside the hospital, urging global actors to uphold their responsibilities under international law and ensure the protection of healthcare facilities in conflict zones.
