Gaza – Since the onset of Israel’s relentless military assault on Gaza that began on October 7, 2023, more than 1,500 Palestinians have been rendered blind, while nearly 4,000 others face the imminent threat of losing their vision, according to local health officials, reported the Siasat.
Dr. Abdulsalam Sabah, Director of the Eye Hospital in Gaza City, has raised an urgent alarm over the dire state of the region’s only specialized ophthalmic facility. With a severe shortage of surgical supplies and essential equipment, the hospital is on the verge of shutting down.
The situation is so desperate that the hospital is currently functioning with only three reusable eye scissors, which are being sterilized and reused repeatedly, risking serious infections. Crucial materials like hyaluronic acid and ultra-fine surgical sutures—vital for treating blast-related eye injuries—are nearly depleted, leaving thousands of injured Palestinians without proper treatment.
This health crisis is further exacerbated by Israel’s blockade on all Gaza border crossings since March 2, which has completely halted the flow of humanitarian aid and medical supplies. Despite global awareness of famine, infrastructural collapse, and a growing healthcare disaster, lifesaving aid remains restricted.
Reports from the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) and Wafa News Agency depict a grim picture of hospitals across Gaza being overwhelmed and unable to meet even urgent medical needs. Dr. Sabah warned that without swift international action to restore supply lines for eye care essentials, thousands more may suffer permanent and preventable blindness.
Since the war began, Gaza’s Health Ministry has recorded a devastating death toll of 52,810, with 119,473 people wounded. As Gaza’s already fragile healthcare system continues to crumble, the humanitarian catastrophe deepens, pushing the besieged population further into suffering.
