Fares Afanah, head of emergency and ambulance services in northern Gaza, has spoken to Al Jazeera about the challenges medics face in responding to emergencies and treating the wounded.

Afaneh said Israeli attacks have destroyed 80 per cent of his department’s vehicles during the fighting and that Israeli forces routinely block ambulances from reaching victims.

Many of those wounded while seeking aid arrive at the hospital with head and limb wounds, he said, adding that overwhelmed doctors frequently struggle to prioritise care.