Photo by Reuters
Responding innovatively to the escalating casualties from Israeli air strikes, health officials in the Gaza Strip have turned to an unusual method for handling the deceased – repurposing ice cream freezer trucks. As the bodies of Palestinians affected by Israel’s bombings continue to increase, the decision to place them in trucks has been made due to heightened risk factors and the limited capacity of existing mortuaries.
Initiated by Israel against Hamas since October 7, the ongoing and intense military operations have led to a notable surge in casualties and extensive destruction within the Gaza Strip. Faced with the constraint of hospital morgues capable of accommodating only a restricted number of bodies, medical professionals have ingeniously opted to use freezer trucks typically reserved for transporting ice cream to supermarkets.
Dr. Yasser Ali from Shuhada Al-Aqsa hospital clarified the urgent need for additional freezer space, given the substantial number of bodies requiring attention. These freezer trucks, originally designed for the delivery of ice cream, are now serving as improvised morgues, offering an alternative space for the deceased amidst the critical shortage of available mortuary space.
As tensions persist in the region due to clashes between Hamas and the Israeli army, evacuations have commenced. The Israeli military has granted permission for Gazans to move south in anticipation of a potential ground assault on the Gaza Strip. This preemptive action is in response to Hamas’ lethal attacks, claiming the lives of 1,300 people in Israel, according to reports from the Israeli military.
The evolving situation highlights a severe health crisis, with over 2,300 reported casualties in Gaza due to air strikes, including a significant number of children. Alongside the escalating death toll, more than 10,000 people are reported injured, and hospitals face critical shortages of medical supplies while bracing for an influx of wounded.
