The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels as the ongoing genocide with Israel continues to devastate the region. In the past ten months, 500 medical personnel have been killed, hundreds more injured, and over 310 arrested, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The relentless targeting of healthcare workers and infrastructure has crippled Gaza’s ability to provide essential medical care to its residents.
Since the war began, Israel has intensified its military operations, now in their 310th day, with a focus on eliminating the region’s medical capabilities. Over 130 ambulances have been destroyed, and health facilities across Gaza and the West Bank have faced more than 340 attacks, leaving citizens without access to critical healthcare services.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health issued a statement condemning the systematic destruction of Gaza’s medical infrastructure, which has effectively denied millions of Palestinians access to basic healthcare. The Ministry emphasized that the deliberate targeting of healthcare facilities and workers constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported that 90 hospitals and primary healthcare centers in Gaza have ceased operations due to the sustained assaults. The closure of the Rafah border crossing since May 2024 has further exacerbated the situation, preventing the entry of essential supplies such as food, water, medicine, and electricity, which are vital for keeping the remaining healthcare facilities operational.
Adding to the crisis, Gaza is grappling with severe water and sanitation issues, leading to an increase in preventable diseases and premature deaths. The Palestinian Ministry of Health warned of a public health disaster, with over 1.7 million people forcibly displaced, many living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. This crisis has been worsened by the ongoing blockade, which has strangled the flow of humanitarian aid into the region.
UNRWA’s recent data paints a grim picture: since October 7, 2023, approximately 1.9 million Palestinians, out of a population of 2.3 million, have been displaced due to the war. Many of these individuals have been forced to relocate multiple times, with some displaced up to ten times as they flee the violence.
The Ministry of Health has highlighted a severe shortage of medical supplies, including anesthetics and antibiotics, leaving healthcare workers struggling to save lives under increasingly difficult conditions. In their statement, the Ministry called for the unconditional entry of humanitarian supplies into Gaza and the urgent evacuation of the wounded to receive life-saving medical care outside the besieged region.
As the Israeli military campaign shows no signs of abating, the humanitarian and health situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. The international community is urged to intervene to prevent further loss of life and to ensure that essential aid reaches those most in need.
