The Slaughter of the Innocents: Naser Pediatric Hospital, Gaza City

Photos by Skip Schiel & Teeksa Photography—teeksaphoto.org

Why the poor medical services in Gaza? Israel blocks entrance of crucial medicines, spare parts, and constuction materials; the international aid boycott restricts funding; interfactional fighting (greatly diminished after Hamas took control from the Palestinian Authority) and poverty heightens medical risks; prohibited Palestinian exit limits educational opportunities; and the closed borders restricts referrals out of Gaza for specialized services. Medical problems include cancer, blood infection, acute injuries, premature birth, heart defects—many curable but in this and other Gazan hospitals most will remain untrearted except for the relief of suffering.