Gaza’s Nasser Hospital overwhelmed by war casualties, displaced families amid ongoing conflict
The once-familiar environment of Nasser Hospital in Gaza has transformed into a shelter for both the war-wounded and displaced civilians, a far cry from its typical operations just a year ago. Located in Khan Younis, it is now one of the few medical facilities still functioning amidst the devastating conflict in the Gaza Strip. The hospital’s courtyards and corridors are filled with those seeking refuge, while its staff, including many newly arrived doctors, continue their work under extremely challenging conditions.
Dr. Mohammed Abu Mughaisib, deputy medical coordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Palestine, has been at the forefront of this crisis. Having moved between different medical sites during the past year, he describes how hospitals, once structured and organized spaces for treating patients, have become makeshift shelters. "Hospitals are no longer the places we used to know. Families have brought tents, and people are sleeping in car parks and wards, believing they will be safe here," he said in an interview with The Guardian.
However, hospitals have not been immune to the violence. The United Nations has reported over 500 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza over the past 12 months, including bombings and raids on major hospitals such as Nasser Hospital and Gaza City's Al-Shifa Hospital. In January and February, Nasser Hospital itself was raided by Israeli forces, with some staff and displaced individuals reporting instances of torture.
Amid this chaos, healthcare workers like Dr. Mughaisib have been personally affected. While working tirelessly to care for others, they have also had to grapple with the safety of their own families. Dr. Mughaisib’s wife and children narrowly escaped an airstrike in November, prompting him to evacuate them to Cairo in February for their safety. Despite these personal struggles, he continues his vital work in Gaza.
With much of the Israeli military focus shifting to Khan Younis, including targeting Nasser Hospital itself, Dr. Mughaisib and his team have repeatedly had to move, including a stint at the Rafah Indonesian Field Hospital. This facility, like many others, later became a target, forcing both medical staff and civilians to seek safety elsewhere once again.
The ongoing conflict has left Gaza’s healthcare system in ruins. According to the UN, only 17 hospitals remain partially operational, while 19 have been completely shut down. Most primary healthcare centers are no longer functioning, leaving many patients without access to critical medical care. Dr. Mughaisib and his colleagues are not only dealing with conflict-related injuries but also seeing a rise in cases of infectious diseases like gastroenteritis, skin infections, and hepatitis A, exacerbated by poor living conditions and contaminated water supplies.
Despite the immense challenges, moments of hope still surface. Dr. Mughaisib recalls the emotional toll of treating severely injured children but also takes comfort in the ability to bring them brief moments of joy. "I always remember the children – those who have lost limbs, those who suffer severe injuries. As a doctor, I must stay strong for them, but they are the patients I will never forget," he shared.
The hospital continues to operate using generators, which sometimes fail due to fuel shortages, forcing staff to work under constant uncertainty. Calls for a ceasefire, which the doctors say are urgently needed, have gone unanswered for months. "After a year of conflict, the word ceasefire feels like a distant dream. We hoped it would come during Ramadan or Eid, or even by the end of summer, but it hasn’t happened," Dr. Mughaisib said, reflecting the weariness and uncertainty of those on the frontlines of this humanitarian crisis.
(This report is based on information provided by The Guardian)
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Women’s Reservation Bill: K'taka CM accuses PM Modi of adopting 'double standard'
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of adopting a “double standard” on women’s reservation, alleging that the Centre had delayed implementation despite having the opportunity to act earlier.
Addressing reporters here, Siddaramaiah said the BJP and Modi had earlier opposed welfare guarantees and were now replicating them, while also questioning the timing and intent behind the women’s reservation move.
“That’s what I call double standards. Narendra Modi is not for social justice. If he was, this would have been done long ago. How many years has he been in power? It’s been 12 years. Why hasn’t it been done so far?” he asked.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the Congress had consistently supported women’s reservation and accused the Centre of "politicising" the issue.
“We spoke about women’s reservation. The Prime Minister asked me what our stand was. I said we are in favour of women’s reservation,” he said, referring to recent discussions with the PM.
He maintained that delimitation should only be carried out after a fresh Census to ensure equitable representation among states.
“In my view, delimitation should be done after a new census. That is why we opposed it. We have not opposed women’s reservation. We have always supported it,” he said.
Highlighting Congress’ past role, he said, “Who brought the 73rd and 74th amendments? Rajiv Gandhi and the Congress party. Those amendments ensured 50 per cent reservation for women in local bodies. Why would we oppose it?”
Siddaramaiah further questioned the union government’s delay in implementation. “Narendra Modi indulged in politics and got it passed in 2023. Why didn’t he implement it immediately? Then why did he wait so long? He could have implemented it immediately. If he is committed to women’s reservation, he should have implemented it,” he said.
On the linkage between delimitation and reservation, he asked, “Why did the Centre link it with delimitation? Why did it go for a constitutional amendment?” adding that such a move could disadvantage southern states that have successfully controlled population growth.
“Southern states have controlled population well, but northern states haven’t. Naturally, it benefits them and disadvantages us,” he said.
Responding to BJP’s criticism that women would “teach Congress a lesson,” Siddaramaiah said, “They are doing politics. If Modi had brought this earlier, who would have opposed women’s reservation?”
On electoral prospects elsewhere, he said he had no direct information on Tamil Nadu but was optimistic about ruling DMK's victory.
"According to the information I have, DMK and its alliance are likely to win,” while asserting that Kerala would also be won by the opposition.
In a major setback to the BJP-led Central government, a Constitution Amendment Bill to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816 was defeated on Friday, with the ruling dispensation asserting that the struggle to give the rights to women will continue.
While 298 members voted in support of the bill in Lok Sabha, 230 MPs voted against it. Out of 528 members who voted, the bill required 352 votes for a two-third majority.
According to the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, Lok Sabha seats were to be increased to 816 from the current 543 to "operationalise" the women's reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.
Seats were also to be increased in state and Union territory assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women.
