Gaza Health Ministry warns 1,100 kidney failure patients at risk as hospitals lack fuel

GAZA, Palestine (AA) – The lives of 1,100 kidney failure patients, including 38 children, are at risk due to a lack of fuel supply to hospitals, the Health Ministry in Gaza said Sunday.

Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra called for fuel to be provided to hospitals and ambulances.

He said healthcare teams have also identified the use of "unconventional weapons" that are causing serious burns to the bodies of the dead and injured.

In a separate statement, the ministry asked Egypt to open the Rafah border crossing to ensure the entry of aid and the exit of the wounded.

The conflict in Gaza, which has been under Israeli bombardment and a blockade since Oct. 7, began when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

At least 4,651 Palestinians including 1,873 children and 1,023 women have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza.

*Writing by Esra Tekin in Istanbul