An Israeli attack on a school in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza left 15 people dead. Another 90 were killed in an attack on the Al Mawasi refugee camp last weekend. The figures come from the Palestinian authorities in Gaza. "Everyday reality for people and children is horrifying," says the former director of medical aid charity MSF Belgium, Meinie Nicolai.
The UN run school in the Nuseirat refugee camp houses thousands of refugees, mostly women and children, the civil protection service in Gaza says.
A major air strike on the town of Khan Younis last weekend hit the Al Mawasi refugee camp. 90 people were killed according to the Palestinian authorities. Half of them were women and children. Nearly 300 people were also injured.
Israel says it was targeting two leaders of fundamentalist organisation Hamas. Reportedly they both survived the attack.
MSF: 'No words to describe what is happening here'
Although international pressure on Israel is mounting, the attacks continue. "What is happening there is indescribable," says former MSF Belgium director Meinie Nicolai. "After the severe attack in Al Mawasi, it’s complete chaos in the hospital. In early July we had already said that the hospital could no longer cope, but now this attack has added to the problems."
Both Nicolai and MSF staff are staying in the region. "We cannot find words to describe what is happening. The hospital is full of victims. We hardly have any equipment left. The wounded are taken to the maternity wing, where aid workers have absolutely no experience in treating such patients. Non-sterile items, we sterilise to use as sterile material anyway. They really have to improvise," Nicolai says.
Major lack of aid supplies
Aid supplies can barely reach Gaza. "The arrival of relief goods has almost completely stopped since the capture of the town of Rafah in early May." Nicolai says it is very difficult to get aid workers into Gaza and asks, "why are we still sending people, if we have no equipment?"
United Nations human rights experts accuse Israel of a targeted starvation campaign. "I don't use words like that, but it seems like it," Nicolai argues. "In particular, we see the elimination of healthcare."
Trying to bring a field hospital into Gaza takes months, according to the former director. "Drinking water levels are very low. There is an acute problem around food security," Nicolai continues. "There are 19 hospitals, but they are no longer functioning. There is a systematic attack on civilian structures that people need for their basic necessities."
Israel: 'Hamas leaders are hiding among civilians'
Israel defends its action by claiming leaders of the fundamentalist Hamas regime are hiding in the places they attack. They say these leaders are using civilians as human shields. "I say this as a humanitarian worker, who should be protected under international law. It is a question of proportionality and we certainly do not see that here."
The former MSF director calls it "one of the toughest crises" MSF has experienced. "These targeted attacks on hospitals, we have never seen that before and they continue".
"Everyday reality for people and children is horrifying," she concludes.