Red Cross warns Gaza hospitals could turn into ‘morgues’ without electricity

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Thursday warned hospitals in the Gaza Strip could turn into “morgues” without electricity in the wake of Israel’s siege on the territory that cut off several resources for Palestinians.

“As Gaza loses power, hospitals lose power, putting newborns in incubators and elderly patients on oxygen at risk,” Fabrizio Carboni, ICRC regional director for the Near and Middle East, wrote in a statement. “Without electricity, hospitals risk turning into morgues.”

Earlier this week, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered a “complete siege” on the Gaza Strip, following an onslaught of attacks from the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The order stopped the supply of food, electricity and water to the territory that was already running low on several resources. The sole power plant in Gaza officially ran out of fuel and was shut down Wednesday, sending the territory into a deeper humanitarian crisis.

Generators were typically used to power buildings and homes in Gaza, with the order cutting off any fuel imports.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization said earlier this week Gaza’s medical supply has been exhausted following days of violence.

Israeli armed forces have ratcheted up the counteroffensive against Hamas in recent days, sending hundreds of airstrikes into the Gaza Strip. Several neighborhoods in Gaza have been destroyed as a result, and more than 200,000 Palestinians were forced from their homes and into shelters.

The death toll continued to rise Thursday to just more than 2,500 lives from both sides, including at least 22 Americans.

The Israeli Military said more than 1,200 Israelis — including civilians and soldiers — have been killed, with another 3,000 wounded as of Thursday. In Gaza, an estimated 1,354 Palestinians have died and 6,049 others were injured, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Carboni said the ICRC is in contact with Hamas and Israeli officials and is prepared to conduct humanitarian visits “as a neutral intermediary.”

Hamas claims to be holding over 150 people hostage, including Israeli soldiers, civilians and some Americans. The militant group vowed to kill an Israeli hostage any time Israel’s armed forces targeted civilians in Gaza “without prior warning.”

Calling for the immediate release of hostages, Carboni said the ICRC stands ready to “facilitate communication between hostages and family members” and assist with releases.