Gaza crisis continues amid Israel’s ‘dual-use’ barーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

• Dual-Use Items: Goods that have both civilian and potential military applications, leading to restrictions on their entry into Gaza by Israeli authorities.
• Hammad Hospital: A key medical facility in Gaza providing prosthetic limbs, currently facing critical shortages.
• Demilitarization of Gaza: Israel’s stated priority, influencing restrictions on aid and reconstruction materials.
• Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: Worsening conditions due to conflict, restricted aid, and winter weather.
• Prosthetic Limb Shortage: A severe lack of prosthetic limbs and materials impacting rehabilitation efforts for a large number of injured civilians.

Gaza: Four Months After the Ceasefire – A Deepening Humanitarian Crisis

Despite a ceasefire initiated four months ago between Israel and Hamas, the Gaza Strip continues to experience ongoing Israeli military attacks, resulting in over 600 fatalities since the agreement according to local health authorities. Compounding the violence, the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, including critical medical supplies, is severely restricted. Specifically, Israeli authorities are classifying items as “dual-use” – possessing both civilian and potential military applications – and preventing their entry into Gaza. This policy is significantly impacting healthcare and rehabilitation efforts.

Hammad Hospital: A Critical Lifeline Under Strain

Hammad Hospital, relocated from Gaza City to Alawida town due to severe damage from previous attacks, serves as a vital center for prosthetic care. The hospital reports a staggering number of casualties requiring prosthetic limbs: approximately 6,000 individuals have suffered limb loss, with children representing 25% of these cases. Fi Albel Biscy, who lost his leg below the knee in a 2023 attack, exemplifies the need for this care.

Currently, over 200 patients are on the waiting list for prosthetic limbs. Ahmad Alabsi, head of the prosthetics department, highlights the critical shortage of supplies. The hospital is reliant on pre-conflict stock, sufficient for only 30 patients. He states, “This hospital has not received a single prosthetic limb or any other material. This is now a critical situation. The essentials are running out.” The lack of supplies directly hinders rehabilitation and the production of new prosthetics.

Individual Impact: The Story of Ashma Abu Galiba

Ashma Abu Galiba, who lost most of her right leg in a missile attack last June, represents the human cost of these restrictions. She lost four siblings and her father in the same attack and now requires constant assistance. “Without help, I can’t even go out… I can’t even go to the bathroom without someone there, and there are many things I can’t do at all,” she explains. Despite being medically cleared for rehabilitation, a prosthetic is unavailable, delaying her recovery and hindering her aspirations to become a dentist. She powerfully states, “With a prosthetic leg, I should be able to live my life as I wish and become the person I want to be. I absolutely refused to give up on my dream of becoming a dentist.”

Israel’s Justification and International Criticism

Multiple human rights organizations have criticized Israel for broadening the definition of “dual-use” items to restrict aid entering Gaza, specifically citing prosthetic limbs as falling under this category. In response, Israel maintains that it cautiously addresses dual-use concerns but permits the entry of necessary medical supplies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has articulated Israel’s priority as the “demilitarization of the Gaza Strip,” stating that “the next stage of the peace prank for the Gaza is not the reconstruction of Gaza but the disarmament of Hamas.” This policy directly impacts the availability of essential resources, including heavy machinery needed for clearing rubble and materials for shelter.

Worsening Conditions and the Need for Progress

NHK’s Jerusalem Bureau Chief, Tam Yusuke, confirms the deliberate expansion of the “dual-use” classification by Israeli authorities. The restrictions extend beyond prosthetics, encompassing equipment needed for infrastructure repair. The situation is further exacerbated by winter conditions, with heavy rainfall and low temperatures impacting those living in tents. Yusuke emphasizes that progress on a comprehensive peace plan is crucial for improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Conclusion

The situation in Gaza remains dire four months after the ceasefire. Restrictions on aid, justified by Israel’s focus on demilitarization, are severely impacting the civilian population, particularly those requiring prosthetic care and basic necessities. The critical shortages at Hammad Hospital and the personal struggles of individuals like Ashma Abu Galiba underscore the urgent need for a resolution that prioritizes humanitarian access and facilitates reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts. The current trajectory suggests a deepening humanitarian crisis unless a viable peace plan is implemented.