A catastrophic humanitarian situation in Rafah
Dr Raphaël Pitti describes a dramatic situation in the city of Rafah, overcrowded with 1.4 million displaced people for a normal capacity of only 24,000 inhabitants. This concentration of people is causing an unprecedented health, social and medical disaster.
Heartbreaking medical choices
At the European Hospital in Khan Younis, designed for 400 patients but receiving 900 patients and thousands of refugees, medical teams have to triage the wounded. For lack of resources, the most serious cases are often left to their fate. There are not even enough sedatives to help the dying with dignity.
A health system in its death throes
The hospital, although “functioning”, is far from “operational”. Unsanitary conditions and corridors occupied by entire families increase the risk of infection. Constant bombardment, Israeli sniper fire and the lack of medical equipment prevent any effective reconstructive surgery.
Refugees at a dead end
Thousands of forcibly displaced people seek shelter in or around hospitals, hoping they will not be targeted. This illusion of safety is false: even hospitals have been attacked. Buying food is still possible, but at prices out of reach for displaced people.
An urgent call for a ceasefire
Faced with what he compares to ghettos, Dr Pitti calls for an immediate ceasefire — not a mere truce — and urges France to firmly oppose an offensive on Rafah. He stresses the need to preserve human dignity in this tragedy.
