The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Hossam Abu Safiya, warned today, Friday, of a serious humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza and northern governorates, as a result of the sharp deterioration in health conditions, due to the spread of epidemics and famine.

Abu Safiya said, "The situation in Gaza and the northern governorates is very bad, and we are working at the minimum in the health system in the absence of medical supplies, consumables, and medicines."

He added: "The specter of famine is sweeping the region again, and there is a lack of availability of foods with diverse nutritional values. What is available is only flour, which constitutes only one corner of the nutritional pyramid necessary for the human body."

Abu Safiya explained, "About 214 children arrived at the hospital within 14 days, showing signs of malnutrition, including more than 50 cases suffering from advanced malnutrition, and 6 cases in critical condition who are being treated in the intensive care department."

He continued: "These children live only on resuscitation solutions, and they do not have milk or special food, which poses a threat to their lives."

Abu Safiya reiterated that "the absence of medicines and health supplies hinders the process of providing basic services to the sick population," noting that what is available "is from the remainder of the Ministry of Health's stock."

He said about this: “No basic materials entered the northern Gaza Strip. What is available is only flour, which is not sufficient for the body structure of the elderly and pregnant women. What is required is foods that contain fats and proteins.”

In this context, he warned of the spread of diseases and epidemics in the Gaza and northern governorates, as a result of the accumulation of waste in the streets and the overflow of sewage.

He added: "The weakening of the population's immunity as a result of famine accelerates the spread of these diseases and epidemics, most notably hepatitis and intestinal infections."

He called on the countries of the world to "intervene to force Israel to open the crossings and enter essential materials into the Gaza and northern governorates and the rest of the Strip, and to save what can be saved."