Gaza: The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza, the primary medical facility in the governorate of Deir el-Balah, has faced severe disruption as a result of intensified bombing, leading to the evacuation of both medical staff and approximately 600 patients. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) reported the concerning situation after visiting the hospital on Sunday.

Witnessing distressing scenes, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described people of all ages receiving treatment on blood-streaked floors and in chaotic corridors. The hospital, critical for providing medical services in the region, is now facing challenges due to the evacuation orders and safety concerns, with a significant reduction in the number of health staff. As of the latest reports, only five doctors remain, and the existing personnel are experiencing shortages of essential supplies, including food.

According to a post from the Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, his staff witnessed “sickening scenes of people of all ages being treated on blood-streaked floors and in chaotic corridors.

“Al Aqsa is the most important hospital remaining in Gaza’s Middle Area and must remain functional, and protected, to deliver its lifesaving services,” Dr Ghebreyesus stated.

“Further erosion of its functionality cannot be permitted – doing so in the face of such trauma, injury and humanitarian suffering would be a moral and medical outrage.”

“During today’s mission, we were informed that evacuation orders and lack of safety had forced most health staff to leave. Tonight’s reports indicate that only 5 doctors remain. Hospital management said health workers had no food,” WHO chief wrote.

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) reported the cessation of life-saving and critical activities by their emergency medical team at the hospital due to increased Israeli military activity. The UN and WHO dispatched an emergency team that distributed medical supplies, including support for dialysis and trauma care for thousands of patients. Plans for deploying additional emergency staff are in progress to address the escalating humanitarian crisis at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

The WHO Director-General emphasized the importance of preserving the hospital's functionality to deliver life-saving services amid the ongoing trauma, injury, and humanitarian suffering.

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New Delhi (PTI): Essar Group co-founder Shashi Ruia has died after a prolonged illness. He was 80.

Ruia, who co-founded metals-to-technology conglomerate Essar with his brother Ravi, died in Mumbai around 23.55 hrs on November 25, family sources said.

He had returned from the US, where he was undergoing treatment, about a month back.

His mortal remains will be kept at Ruia House from 1 pm to 3 pm on Tuesday. The funeral procession will leave from Ruia House at 4 pm towards the Hindu Worli Crematorium.

Shashi, a first-generation entrepreneur industrialist, started his career in 1965 under the guidance of his father Nand Kishore Ruia.

He, along with his brother Ravi, laid the foundation of Essar in 1969 by constructing an outer breakwater at Chennai Port. The group expanded into various sectors, including steel, oil refining, exploration and production, telecom, power, and construction.

He is survived by his wife Manju and two sons Prashant and Anshuman.