Jordanian field hospitals in Gaza take on role of sanctuary for Palestinians

Doctors treat patients at a Jordanian military field hospital in the besieged Gaza Strip. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 25 December 2023
Follow

Jordanian field hospitals in Gaza take on role of sanctuary for Palestinians

  • One 40-bed facility, located in Tel Al-Hawa in northern Gaza, has become a symbol of safety
  • The medical institutions are operated under the efficient management of the Jordanian army

AMMAN: Jordanian military field hospitals in the besieged Gaza Strip stand as the primary, and often the “only,” fully functional medical facilities in this war-torn area.

They have transcended their medical roles, evolving into sanctuaries for Gazans who seek refuge amid the relentless Israeli bombardment of their territory.

In the Gaza Strip, Jordan has established two pivotal field hospitals. The first was inaugurated in 2009, in the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2008. The second facility was set up more recently in Khan Younis, which is the second-largest city in Gaza, with its establishment dated back to Nov. 29.




Doctors treat patients at a Jordanian military field hospital in the besieged Gaza Strip. (Supplied)

These vital medical institutions are operated under the efficient management of the Jordanian army, following direct instructions from King Abdullah of Jordan.

The Jordanian military has demonstrated a strong commitment to these hospitals. According to official reports, the Jordanian air force has undertaken six significant airdrop operations.

These airdrops have been crucial in delivering medical aid to the hospitals in Gaza, utilizing parachutes for efficient and safe delivery. The most recent airdrop, which took place on Dec. 14, saw the participation of Princess Salma, the daughter of King Abdullah.




Doctors treat patients at a Jordanian military field hospital in the besieged Gaza Strip. (Supplied)

Princess Salma holds a distinguished position as a first lieutenant/pilot in the Royal Jordanian Air Force.

A concerning incident was reported on Nov 16. Seven members of the medical staff at the field hospital in Gaza sustained injuries. This unfortunate event occurred at the entrance of the emergency department, highlighting the perilous conditions under which these medical professionals work.  

One field hospital, located in Tel Al-Hawa in northern Gaza, known as “Gaza/76,” is a 40-bed facility that finds itself in a location that has been subject to heavy bombardment by Israeli fighter jets.




An injured child arrives at a Jordanian military field hospital in the besieged Gaza Strip. (Supplied)

Tragically, the medical staff of this hospital experienced injuries while they were engaged in the noble act of providing medical aid to Palestinians who had been wounded during an air strike.

An anonymous army source, in a conversation with Arab News, shed light on the operational status of the two Jordanian hospitals in Gaza.

The source emphasized that these hospitals are not just functional but are “operating 24/7 at full capacity.” They are also performing complex surgical procedures on a daily basis, a testament to their crucial role in the region.  

The source further revealed that these hospitals are not merely medical centers but have become sanctuaries for many Palestinian families. These families, especially those in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, are seeking refuge at the Jordanian hospitals, seeing them as safe spaces in a landscape marred by conflict.




Doctors treat patients at a Jordanian military field hospital in the besieged Gaza Strip. (Supplied)

  After the end of a brief one-week truce in Gaza on Dec. 1, Israel has expanded its military operations, particularly in the southern part of the enclave. This escalation has led to a surge in the number of displaced Palestinians. Hundreds of thousands are reported to have sought shelter in facilities run by the United Nations, and in other areas in the southern towns.

“The hospital in the northern part of Gaza has become a symbol of safety,” the army source said.

“Displaced Palestinians are seeking protection not just inside the hospital but also around its vicinity, particularly at the entrance. They perceive it as a safe zone, free from the threat of Israeli strikes.”

The compassionate staff of the hospital are not just providing medical care but are also sharing essential supplies like food and water with the displaced Palestinians.




Doctors treat patients at a Jordanian military field hospital in the besieged Gaza Strip. (Supplied)

Some of these displaced individuals have chosen to stay at the hospital, even after a majority of the population from the intensively bombarded northern Gaza moved south.

As for the situation at the “Special Field Hospital 2” in Khan Younis, the source noted an increasing influx of displaced Palestinians. This increase is attributed to the fact that more supplies are reaching this newly established hospital. Additionally, its location in southern Gaza makes it more accessible to the displaced population, who are now predominantly located in the south.

The Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) made a significant announcement recently. They reported that a large convoy, consisting of 15 trucks loaded with essential supplies, medical equipment, and 2,000 units of various blood types, arrived at the Khan Younis hospital on a Thursday evening.

This delivery plays a crucial role in supporting the hospital’s surgical operations and overall medical capabilities.

JAF also confirmed that the hospital received an additional 2,000 units of blood, crucial for the numerous surgical procedures they undertake.

UN estimates paint a stark picture of the displacement crisis in Gaza. Of the 2.4 million population in Gaza, an overwhelming 1.9 million people are displaced, with the majority located in Khan Younis and other southern towns. 

Between Nov. 29 and Dec. 21, the hospital in Khan Younis has been a beacon of hope, receiving 15474 cases and successfully performing 4473 surgeries, as reported in a JAF statement.

The army highlighted the multifaceted role of the Khan Younis hospital. While it primarily functions as a surgical center, it also opens its doors to emergency cases, including those resulting from the war.

“The hospital in Khan Younis is a round-the-clock facility, always ready to welcome anyone seeking medical attention. It caters to a wide array of medical needs, from complex surgeries and injury treatments to addressing more minor illnesses, such as the flu,” the source added.


Gaza aid situation not much improved, US says as deadline for Israel looms

Updated 7 sec ago
Follow

Gaza aid situation not much improved, US says as deadline for Israel looms

  • Washington told Israel on Oct. 13 it had 30 days to take steps to address humanitarian crisis in Gaza
  • Israel on Monday announced cancelling agreement with UN relief agency for Palestinians (UNRWA)

WASHINGTON: Israel has taken some measures to increase aid access to Gaza but has so far failed to significantly turn around the humanitarian situation in the enclave, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday, as a deadline set by the US to improve the situation approaches.
The Biden administration told Israel in an Oct. 13 letter it had 30 days to take specific steps to address the dire humanitarian crisis in the strip, which has been pummeled for more than a year by Israeli ground and air operations that Israel says are aimed at rooting out Hamas militants.
Aid workers and UN officials say humanitarian conditions continue to be dire in Gaza.
“As of today, the situation has not significantly turned around. We have seen an increase in some measurements. We’ve seen an increase in the number of crossings that are open. But just if you look at the stipulated recommendations in the letter, those have not been met,” Miller said.
Miller said the results so far were “not good enough” but stressed that the 30-day period had not elapsed.
He declined to say what consequences Israel would face if it failed to implement the recommendations.
“What I can tell you that we will do is we will follow the law,” he said.
Washington, Israel’s main supplier of weapons, has frequently pressed Israel to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza since the war with Hamas began with the Palestinian militant group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel.
The Oct. 13 letter, sent by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, said a failure to demonstrate a sustained commitment to implementing the measures on aid access may have implications for US policy and law.
Section 620i of the US Foreign Assistance Act prohibits military aid to countries that impede delivery of US humanitarian assistance.
Israel on Monday said it was canceling its agreement with the UN relief agency for Palestinians (UNRWA), citing accusations that some UNRWA staff had Hamas links.
UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said Israel had scaled back the entry of aid trucks into the Gaza Strip to an average of 30 trucks a day, the lowest in a long time.
An Israeli government spokesman said no limit had been imposed on aid entering Gaza, with 47 aid trucks entering northern Gaza on Sunday alone.
Israeli statistics reviewed by Reuters last week showed that aid shipments allowed into Gaza in October remained at their lowest levels since October 2023.


Israel issues 7,000 new draft orders for ultra-Orthodox members

Updated 33 min 49 sec ago
Follow

Israel issues 7,000 new draft orders for ultra-Orthodox members

JERUSALEM: Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued 7,000 additional army draft orders Monday for individuals from the country’s ultra-Orthodox community, historically exempted from mandatory service until a June Supreme Court decision.
Gallant approved the Israeli army’s “recommendation to issue an additional 7,000 orders for screening and evaluation processes for ultra-Orthodox draft-eligible individuals in the upcoming phase, which is expected to begin in the coming days,” the defense ministry said in a statement.
The order comes after a first round of 3,000 draft orders were sent out in July, sparking protests from the ultra-Orthodox community.
Monday’s orders come at a time when Israel is struggling to bolster troop numbers as it fights a multi-front war, with ground forces deployed to fight Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“The defense minister concluded that the war and the challenges we face underscore the (Israeli army’s) need for additional soldiers. This is a tangible operational need that requires broad national mobilization from all parts of society,” the ministry said.
In Israel, military service is mandatory for Jewish men for 32 months, and for 24 months for Jewish women.
The ultra-Orthodox account for 14 percent of Israel’s Jewish population, according to the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI), representing about 1.3 million people.
About 66,000 of those of conscription age are exempted, according to the army.
Under a rule adopted at Israel’s creation in 1948, when it applied to only 400 people, the ultra-Orthodox have historically been exempted from military service if they dedicate themselves to the study of sacred Jewish texts.
In June, Israel’s Supreme Court ordered the draft of yeshiva (seminary) students after deciding the government could not keep up the exemption “without an adequate legal framework.”
Hamas’s October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Israel’s retaliatory campaign has killed 43,374 people in Gaza, a majority of them civilians, according to Gaza health ministry figures which the United Nations considers to be reliable.
Since late September, Israel has broadened the focus of its war to Lebanon, where it intensified air strikes and later sent in ground troops, following nearly a year of tit-for-tat cross-border fire with Hezbollah.


Palestinians build new lives in Cairo’s ‘Little Gaza’

Updated 44 min 34 sec ago
Follow

Palestinians build new lives in Cairo’s ‘Little Gaza’

CAIRO: Palestinian Bassem Abu Aoun serves Gaza-style turkey shawarma at his restaurant in an eastern Cairo neighborhood, where a growing number of businesses opened by those fleeing war have many dubbing the area “Little Gaza.”
“It was a big gamble,” said the 56-year-old about opening his restaurant, Hay Al-Rimal, named after his neighborhood in Gaza City, now devastated by Israeli bombardment.
“I could live for a year on the money I had, or open a business and leave the rest to fate,” he said.
So less than four months after fleeing with his family to neighboring Egypt from the besieged Palestinian territory, he opened his eatery in Cairo’s Nasr City neighborhood.
The establishment is one of the many cafes, falafel joints, shawarma spots and sweets shops being started by newly arriving Palestinian entrepreneurs in the area — despite only being granted temporary stays by Egypt.
These spaces have become a refuge for the traumatized Gazan community in Cairo, offering a livelihood to business owners, many of whom lost everything in the war.
“Even if the war stops now in Gaza, it would take me at least two or three years to get my life back on track,” Abu Aoun said.
“Everything has been wiped out there,” he continued.
His patrons are mainly fellow Palestinians, chatting in their distinct Gazan dialect as they devour sandwiches that remind them of home.
On a wall next to his shop was a mural of intertwining Egyptian and Palestinian flags.
“I have a responsibility to my family and children who are in university,” said the restaurateur, whose two eateries in Gaza have now been completely destroyed.
Abu Aoun and his family are among more than 120,000 Palestinians who arrived in Egypt between November last year and May, according to Palestinian officials in Egypt.
They crossed through the Rafah border crossing, Gaza’s only exit point to the outside world until Israeli forces seized the Palestinian side in early May and closed it ever since.
Although Egypt insists it won’t do Israel’s bidding by allowing permanent refugee camps on its territory, it had allowed in medical evacuees, dual passport holders and others who managed to escape.
Many drained their life savings to escape, paying thousands of dollars a head to the private Egyptian travel agency Hala, the only company coordinating Gaza evacuations.
War broke out in Gaza on October 7, 2023, after Hamas’s surprise attack resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has killed 43,374 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry which the UN considers reliable.

Gazan-style desserts
Opening the restaurant was not an easy decision for Abu Aoun, but he says he’s glad he did it.
“I’ll open a second branch and expand,” he said with a smile, while watching a family from Central Asia being served a traditional Gazan salad.
Nearby is Kazem, a branch of a decades-old, much-loved Gaza establishment serving iced dessert drinks.
Its Palestinian owner, Kanaan Kazem, opened the branch in September after settling in Cairo.
The shop offers ice cream on top of a drink sprinkled with pistachios, a Gazan-style treat known as “bouza w barad,” which has become a fast favorite among the Egyptian patrons filling the shop.
“There’s a certain fear and hesitation about opening a business in a place where people don’t know you,” said Kazem, 66.
But “if we’re destined never to return, we must adapt to this new reality and start a new life,” he said, standing alongside his sons.
Kazem hopes to return to Gaza, but his son Nader, who manages the shop, has decided to stay in Egypt.
“There are more opportunities, safety and stability here, and it’s a large market,” said Nader, a father of two.
Gazan patron Bashar Mohammed, 25, takes comfort in the flourishing Palestinian businesses.
“Little Gaza reminds me of Gaza’s spirit and beauty and makes me feel like I’m really in Gaza,” he said.
After more than a year of war, Gaza has become uninhabitable due to extensive destruction and damage to infrastructure, according to the United Nations.
“It’d be hard to go back to Gaza. There’s no life left there,” he said, taking a deep breath.
“I have to build a new life here.”


Israel accuses Turkiye of ‘malice’ over UN arms embargo call

Updated 05 November 2024
Follow

Israel accuses Turkiye of ‘malice’ over UN arms embargo call

  • Turkiye’s letter, seen by AFP Monday, called the “staggering” civilian death toll “unconscionable and intolerable”

UNITED NATIONS, United States: Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations on Monday accused Turkiye of “malice,” after Ankara submitted a letter signed by 52 countries calling for a halt in arms deliveries to Israel over the war in Gaza.
“What else can be expected from a country whose actions are driven by malice in an attempt to create conflicts with the support of the ‘Axis of Evil’ countries,” said Ambassador Danny Danon, using a pejorative term to describe the Arab countries who signed the letter.
Turkiye’s foreign ministry said Sunday it had submitted the letter to the United Nations, with the signatories including the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Israel has faced international criticism for the conduct of its war in Gaza, where its offensive has killed at least 43,374 people, most of them civilians, according to health ministry figures which the United Nations considers to be reliable.
The war was sparked by Palestinian armed group Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
“This letter is further proof that the UN is led by some sinister countries and not by the liberal countries that support the values of justice and morality,” said Danon.
Turkiye’s letter, seen by AFP Monday, called the “staggering” civilian death toll “unconscionable and intolerable.”
“We therefore make this collective call for immediate steps to be taken to halt the provision or transfer of arms,  munitions and related equipment to Israel, the occupying Power, in all cases where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that they may be used in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” the letter said.
It added that the UN Security Council (UNSC) must take steps to ensure compliance with its resolutions “which are being flagrantly violated.”
The UNSC called in March for a ceasefire in Gaza, but has struggled to speak with a unified voice on the issue due to the veto wielded by Israel’s key ally, the United States.
Asked about the joint letter on Monday, the spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he had not seen it.


Gaza aid situation not much improved, US says as deadline for Israel looms

Updated 05 November 2024
Follow

Gaza aid situation not much improved, US says as deadline for Israel looms

  • Aid workers and UN officials say humanitarian conditions continue to be dire in Gaza

WASHINGTON: Israel has taken some measures to increase aid access to Gaza but has so far failed to significantly turn around the humanitarian situation in the enclave, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday, as a deadline set by the US to improve the situation approaches.
The Biden administration told Israel in an Oct. 13 letter it had 30 days to take specific steps to address the dire humanitarian crisis in the strip, which has been pummeled for more than a year by Israeli ground and air operations that Israel says are aimed at rooting out Hamas militants.
Aid workers and UN officials say humanitarian conditions continue to be dire in Gaza.
“As of today, the situation has not significantly turned around. We have seen an increase in some measurements. We’ve seen an increase in the number of crossings that are open. But just if you look at the stipulated recommendations in the letter, those have not been met,” Miller said.
Miller said the results so far were “not good enough” but stressed that the 30-day period had not elapsed.
He declined to say what consequences Israel would face if it failed to implement the recommendations.
“What I can tell you that we will do is we will follow the law,” he said.
Washington, Israel’s main supplier of weapons, has frequently pressed Israel to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza since the war with Hamas began with the Palestinian militant group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel.
The Oct. 13 letter, sent by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, said a failure to demonstrate a sustained commitment to implementing the measures on aid access may have implications for US policy and law.
Section 620i of the US Foreign Assistance Act prohibits military aid to countries that impede delivery of US humanitarian assistance.
Israel on Monday said it was canceling its agreement with the UN relief agency for Palestinians (UNRWA), citing accusations that some UNRWA staff had Hamas links.
UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said Israel had scaled back the entry of aid trucks into the Gaza Strip to an average of 30 trucks a day, the lowest in a long time.
An Israeli government spokesman said no limit had been imposed on aid entering Gaza, with 47 aid trucks entering northern Gaza on Sunday alone.
Israeli statistics reviewed by Reuters last week showed that aid shipments allowed into Gaza in October remained at their lowest levels since October 2023.