Gaza: The health system and hospitals in the Gaza Strip are operating at minimum capacity and are on the brink of collapse due to the ongoing Israeli blockade, according to officials in the Palestinian Ministry of Health and hospital managers in Gaza. They have warned of an impending catastrophe as life-saving medical supplies and aid remain blocked.

According to Qatar News Agency, the stringent blockade imposed by Israeli forces has led to severe shortages in medicines and food, resulting in fatalities among patients, especially children. Dr. Marwan Sultan, Director of the Indonesian Hospital in North Gaza, highlighted the hospital’s struggle to provide medical services amid shortages of fuel and medical supplies, compounded by the ongoing offensive and closed crossings.

The hospital is overcrowded with patients, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs) that require constant power to operate ventilators. Dr. Sultan emphasized the exacerbation of the crisis due to the closure of Gaza’s crossings for over 64 days, which has worsened conditions for patients with chronic diseases, including the elderly, pregnant women, and children. He called for immediate international and humanitarian intervention to supply essential fuel to avert a looming catastrophe.

Dr. Sohaib Al Hams, Director of Kuwait Specialized Hospital, reported an acute shortage of over 75% of key medicines, severely affecting treatment services. The remaining medical stockpile is insufficient for even a few days due to ongoing aggression and blocked aid, he noted.

Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Mahia Shamiya, added that Israeli forces are preventing international and UN organizations from accessing hospital fuel storage sites, claiming they are in restricted zones. This obstruction threatens to halt hospital operations that rely on power generators, with fuel supplies dwindling to only a couple of days’ worth.

The humanitarian and health conditions continue to deteriorate as Israeli forces target medical and charitable institutions, many of which have ceased operations. The health sector in Gaza faces a severe crisis due to these measures, coupled with ongoing violence and the destruction of key hospitals during the escalation in the enclave.