Gaza residents who have lost family fear more destruction as ground assault looms By Reuters

GAZA (Reuters) -As Israel prepared on Sunday for a ground assault on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, Palestinians who have lost numerous family members in air strikes were bracing for more destruction if Israel hits back on an unprecedented scale on its territory.

Um Mohammad Al-Laham sat next to her 4-year-old granddaughter Fulla Al-Laham, who lay in a Gaza hospital which like others is operating on low supplies of medicine and fuel.

She said an Israeli airstrike hit the family home, killing 14 people including Fulla’s parents, siblings and members of her extended family.

“All of a sudden and without warning, they bombed the house on top of the residents inside. No-one survived except my grandchild Fulla. May God cure her and give her strength,” said the grandmother, who has witnessed many wars between Hamas and the Israeli army over the years. She says this is the toughest.

“Fourteen people martyred, no-one was left except Fulla Saeed Al-Laham. She doesn’t talk, nothing, just lays in her bed and they give medicine.”

One other 4-year-old child in the family had also been left with almost no relatives, the grandmother said.

Israel has unleashed the heaviest air strikes ever on Gaza in retaliation for the biggest attack on the country one week ago by the Palestinian militant group Hamas since the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.

Israel has vowed to annihilate the militant group Hamas in retaliation for a rampage by its fighters in Israeli towns eight days ago in which its militants shot men, women and children and seized hostages in the worst attack on civilians in the country’s history.

Some 1,300 people were killed in the unexpected onslaught, which shook the country, with graphic mobile phone video footage and reports from medical and emergency services of atrocities in the overrun towns and kibbutzes.

Israel has responded with the most intense bombardment Gaza has ever seen, putting the small enclave, home to 2.3 million Palestinians, under siege and destroying much of its infrastructure.

Israel has told Palestinian to leave their homes and move south.

Hamas urged people not to leave, saying roads out were unsafe. It said dozens of people had been killed in strikes on cars and trucks carrying refugees on Friday, while medics, Hamas media and relatives say whole families have been killed in the air strikes. Reuters could not independently verify these claims.

Some residents said they would not leave, remembering the “Nakba,” or “catastrophe,” of 1948 when many Palestinians were forced from their homes during the war that accompanied Israel’s creation.

Israel has intensified its bombings across Gaza City and the north. Gaza authorities said more than 2,300 people have been killed, a quarter of them children, and nearly 10,000 wounded.

Rescue workers searched desperately for survivors of night-time air raids. One million people have reportedly left their homes.

The expected Israeli ground offensive combined with the air strikes themselves have raised fears of unprecedented suffering in the narrow, impoverished enclave.

Witnesses in Gaza City told Reuters the Israeli offensive had forced more people from their homes. Gaza’s largest Shifa hospital was overcrowded with people who had fled their houses.

“We are living the worst nightmare of our lives. Even here in the hospital we are not safe. An air strike hit in the area outside the hospital around dawn,” said a 35-year-old woman who declined to give her name.

Taking the road to southern Gaza, which is considered safer, has become more difficult as several people who had made the journey say Israel continues to bomb around it.

Ashraf Al-Qidra, spokesman of the Gaza health ministry, said 70% of the people in Gaza City and the north of the strip are deprived of health services after the Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA evacuated its headquarters and suspended its services.

East of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, where hundreds of northern residents have fled to, some locals cooked for displaced people, using firewood to prepare 1,500 meals of meat and rice donated by residents.

“We used to cook on cooking gas for the first two days but we are running out of gas, so we are cooking on firewood,” said Youssef Abu Assi, one resident helping out.

The Importance of Vaginal pH Test Strips in Women’s Health

Vaginal pH test strips play a crucial role in women’s health by providing a simple and effective method to monitor vaginal acidity levels. Maintaining a balanced pH is essential for preventing infections, such as bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections, and promoting overall vaginal health. These test strips offer a convenient way to assess vaginal pH at home, allowing women to detect any imbalances early on and seek appropriate medical intervention. Regular use of vaginal pH test strips empowers women to take control of their reproductive health and prevent potential complications.

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Introduction
Maintaining a healthy vaginal pH is crucial for women’s overall health and well-being. The vaginal pH level refers to the acidity or alkalinity of the vaginal environment,The Importance of Vaginal pH Test Strips in Women’s Health Articles which is primarily influenced by the presence of certain bacteria. A balanced vaginal pH helps to prevent infections, maintain optimal vaginal flora, and support reproductive health.

Vaginal pH test strips have emerged as a valuable tool for monitoring and managing vaginal health. These strips provide a simple and convenient way to measure the vaginal pH level at home. By regularly monitoring their vaginal pH, women can gain insights into their vaginal health and take proactive steps to maintain or restore the optimal pH balance.

Understanding Vaginal pH
Vaginal pH refers to the measure of acidity or alkalinity in the vagina. It is determined by the concentration of hydrogen ions present in the vaginal fluid. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with a pH of 7 considered neutral. In the case of vaginal pH, a lower pH indicates acidity, while a higher pH indicates alkalinity.

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How vaginal pH test strips work
Vaginal pH test strips are a valuable tool in women’s health as they provide a simple and effective way to measure the acidity or alkalinity of the vaginal environment. These strips are typically made of paper or plastic and contain a pH-sensitive indicator that changes color in response to the pH level of the vaginal secretions. By placing the strip in contact with the vaginal discharge, women can easily determine their vaginal pH level.

Importance of Vaginal pH Test Strips in Women’s Health
Vaginal pH test strips play a crucial role in maintaining women’s health by providing valuable insights into the vaginal environment. These strips are designed to measure the acidity or alkalinity of the vaginal fluid, which is an essential indicator of vaginal health. By understanding the significance of vaginal pH and utilizing these test strips, women can take proactive steps to prevent and manage various vaginal conditions.

Detecting Imbalances
Vaginal pH test strips are a simple and effective tool for detecting imbalances in the vaginal environment. When the pH level deviates from its normal range, it can indicate the presence of various conditions such as bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, or sexually transmitted infections. These imbalances can cause discomfort, itching, abnormal discharge, and increase the risk of complications if left untreated.

Monitoring Vaginal Health
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Preventive Measures
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Treatment and Management
Vaginal pH test strips also aid in the treatment and management of vaginal conditions. By monitoring the effectiveness of prescribed treatments, women can ensure that the pH level returns to its optimal range. Additionally, healthcare providers can utilize the results from these test strips to tailor treatment plans and recommend appropriate medications or interventions based on the specific pH imbalance detected.

Empowering Women’s Health
The availability and use of vaginal pH test strips empower women to actively participate in their own healthcare. By providing a simple and accessible method to monitor vaginal health, these test strips enable women to make informed decisions about their well-being. Regular testing and understanding of vaginal pH contribute to overall women’s health and promote early detection and prevention of potential issues.