Entering a hospital in Gaza, the first things that stand out are silence and emptiness. There are beds, and there are patients but there is no essential medicine, no surgical equipment, and no reliable electricity. Due to Israel’s prolonged blockade and restrictions on the entry of medical supplies, Gaza’s healthcare system is facing an extreme crisis, with thousands of patients at risk of death, senior health officials have warned.
According to Al Jazeera, the flow of medicines and medical equipment into Gaza has dropped sharply because of Israeli restrictions. Munir al-Barsh, Director General of Gaza’s Ministry of Health, said the condition of hospitals has become “tragic and terrifying,” leaving doctors virtually helpless when treating critically ill patients.
He said nearly three-quarters of essential surgical equipment is unavailable. There are severe shortages of saline, anaesthetics, gauze, dialysis supplies, and other basic medical items. Frequent power outages and a lack of fuel for generators have further disrupted medical services.
Despite a ceasefire brokered by the United States, Israel is not allowing the agreed number of medical aid trucks to enter Gaza, the Health Ministry said, deepening the ongoing health emergency.
The crisis threatens not only the wounded but also patients suffering from chronic illnesses. Nearly 4,000 glaucoma patients are at risk of permanent blindness. At the same time, around 40,000 displaced pregnant women are living in unhealthy conditions, posing serious dangers to both mothers and newborns. Approximately 320,000 children under the age of five are at risk of malnutrition.
So far, 1,156 patients have died while waiting for permission to receive treatment outside Gaza. Nearly 20,000 patients many of them children are still awaiting transfer abroad for medical care.
Al-Barsh has called for the immediate opening of border crossings to allow humanitarian aid and the evacuation of patients for treatment. He warned that any further delay could result in the loss of many more lives.