Since the onset of the assault on Gaza, as of December 17, 2024, the Israeli military has killed over 45,059 people and wounded 107,041. Among the victims, 59% are women, children, and the elderly. Additionally, 90% of the population has been forcibly displaced, and housing and infrastructure have suffered massive destruction. Gaza’s healthcare system, already crippled by years of Israeli occupation and blockade, has been targeted during the war1. Operations of the Augusta Victoria Hospital have seen a decrease of over 35%, resulting from the fact that Gaza patients are not able to come to Jerusalem for treatment.

With the Hamas/Israel ceasefire on the horizon the immidiate emergency response plan includes the medical evacuation and treatment for patients from Gaza to the Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem. It would also include ongoing support for the AVH patients from Gaza that are in Jerusalem in Jerusalem since the war started in October 2023 and MHPSS interventions. 

Prior to the war, the Augusta Victoria Hospital was about to open a cancer care and diagnostic center in Gaza city, partnering with the Arab Ahli Hospital (AAH), a member of the ACT Palestine Forum. The Arab Ahli Hospital has been attacked several times during the war but it is still standing and serving hundreds of patients each week. The medical equipment of the AVH is in use and can be expanded for multiple medical services, including trauma treatment and communicable diseases. In collaboration with the Arab Ahli Hospital since April 2024, AVH managed to operate a radiology unit that includes the CT, X-ray devices, and medical offices. This CT scanner is the only functional device in the North of Gaza. A total of 25,250 X-ray and 8365 CT scans were performed in collaboration with Ahli Arab Hospital. A TeleClinic was established to address the disruption of ongoing treatments due to the war. 2 doctors and a nurse were recruited identified patients' medical conditions and followed up on their urgent needs. AVH also coordinated pathology tests at Al Ahli Hospital. A total of 155 were diagnosed, which resulted in six operations, treatment of seven patients with Chemotherapy and 24 patients with hormone medication. The cancer medication was part of a shipment to AAH in collaboration with the LWF Jordan office. AVH also managed to send medication and lab kits to WHO- Jerusalem to be shipped to the European hospital in South of Gaza. Unfortunately, the shipment is still at Kerem Abu Salem crossing awaiting permission for entry. A second in collaboration with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Jordan office, has successfully finalized the procurement of medications and medical supplies and was delivered them to the JHCO/Jordan to be shipped to Arab Ahli Hospital. It is is expected to be delivered to Gaza by the end of January 2025. 

The first response will involve the Arab Ahli Hospital in Gaza City and will include emergency treatment,medication, food parcels, NFI, dignity kits, winter clothes and will expand and coordinate efforts with local partners, the WHO and UN organisations according to needs and possibilities as the situation changes rapidly. If possible a AVH will lead a medical team delegation of professionals of the East Jerusalem Hospital Network to Gaza to support the local medical teams.

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