The healthcare system in southern Gaza Strip is buckling under pressure, with Nasser Hospital (Nasser Medical Complex) in Khan Younis now the only facility in the area with an intensive care unit, after Israeli strikes forced the nearby Al-Amal Hospital to cease operations, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday.
As Israel continued its assaults in the area, including at aid distribution sites, Nasser Hospital has received a large number of people injured while seeking daily necessities.
"Many of the wounded are from Al-Alam and Morag [Corridor] (about 500 meters from the Rafah aid distribution site), as well as from Wadi Gaza (near the Netzarim Corridor aid site). Their injuries vary, some are to the head, others to limbs or arteries. They are severely injured, and require urgent care and blood transfusions. Nasser Hospital calls daily for blood donations due to a severe shortage of supplies. Our wards have long been full, and the sheer volume of casualties has severely strained the hospital system," said Ahmed Al-Lahham, head of nursing at Nasser Hospital.
In one of Nasser's tent wards lies Bilal Al-Zaharna, unable to move after being caught in an attack days earlier. He had arrived at an aid distribution point before dawn, hoping to secure aid, when chaos erupted.
"We got there at 04:00, and they [the Israeli military] used drones to announce that aid would be distributed at 6. We were allowed in at 6, but then shelling started. Many died instantly, and many more were injured. We went there because Israel had directed us to. That area had been a war zone but was later declared a 'humanitarian zone' by the IDF. We went there because we believed it was a 'humanitarian zone,'" he said.
Another injured named Muhammad Kishta shared a similar account. He left home at 02:00 and traveled on foot to the aid site, only to come under fire from multiple directions while still 500 meters away.
Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), said on his X account Tuesday that "another day of aid distribution another day of death traps," urging aid distributions to be "at scale and safe."
The Israeli attacks killed at least 54,927 people and injured 126,615 others since October 2023, according to the Gaza health authorities on Monday.
Hospital in south Gaza struggles to handle patients injured near aid distribution sites
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
