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Gaza Health System on Brink of Collapse Amidst Intensified Hostilities
Attacks on hospitals and shortages of supplies leave the region’s healthcare system struggling to cope.
The healthcare system in Gaza is facing imminent collapse as intensified military operations exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, including mass displacement and critical shortages of essential resources. The situation is further compounded by attacks on healthcare facilities, leaving the region struggling to provide adequate medical care.
In the past week, four major hospitals, including kamal Adwan Hospital, Indonesia Hospital, Hamad Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, and European Gaza Hospital, have been forced to suspend services due to their proximity to conflict zones and direct attacks. The WHO has documented 28 attacks on healthcare in Gaza during this period, bringing the total to 697 since October 2023.
Currently, only 19 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals remain partially operational, struggling with severe shortages of supplies and staff, persistent insecurity, and a surge in casualties.of these, 12 offer a range of health services, while the remainder provide only basic emergency care. According to recent reports, at least 94% of all hospitals in the Gaza Strip have sustained damage or been destroyed.
recent escalations in hostilities and new evacuation orders across northern and southern Gaza threaten to further cripple the healthcare infrastructure. This includes the potential shutdown of 1 hospital,11 primary care centres,and 13 medical points within evacuation zones,as well as an additional 5 hospitals,1 field hospital,9 primary care centres,and 23 medical points within 1000 metres of these zones.
North gaza is experiencing a near-total collapse of its healthcare system. Al-Awda Hospital,functioning minimally as a trauma stabilization point,faces imminent closure due to ongoing insecurity and restricted access.Recent attacks have damaged the hospital’s water supply and injured staff. A WHO mission attempting to reach the hospital was recently impeded.
The Indonesian Hospital has been out of service as 18 May due to continued military presence. A WHO mission attempting to deliver aid and assess the situation was recently forced to abort due to security concerns.Kamal Adwan Hospital, previously the only center for treating severe acute malnutrition in North Gaza, ceased operations on 20 May due to intense hostilities.
In southern Gaza, Nasser Medical Complex, Al-Amal, and Al-Aqsa hospitals are overwhelmed by a surge of injured individuals, exacerbated by displacement to Deir al Balah and Khan Younis. The European Gaza Hospital remains out of service following an attack on 13 May, cutting off vital services such as neurosurgery, cardiac care, and cancer treatment.
