The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Gaza’s health system is nearing collapse as Israel’s intensified military operations continue to devastate medical infrastructure and restrict humanitarian access. The crisis is made worse by widespread displacement, and a growing lack of food, water, medicine, fuel, and shelter.
In the past week, four major hospitals—Kamal Adwan, Indonesia, Hamad for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, and the European Gaza Hospital—were forced to stop services. Their locations near active conflict or evacuation zones, and direct attacks, made it impossible to continue operating. WHO recorded 28 attacks on health care facilities in Gaza during this period and 697 since October 2023.
Of Gaza’s 36 hospitals, only 19 remain partially functional. One of them is only providing basic care. These facilities are struggling due to severe shortages in supplies and staff, while insecurity and mass casualties continue to rise. Among the 19 hospitals, only 12 can still provide a range of services, while the others can handle only emergency care. At least 94% of all hospitals in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed.
Recent evacuation orders and intensified fighting across northern and southern Gaza now threaten even more health facilities. These include one hospital, 11 primary care centers, and 13 medical points in the newly declared evacuation zones, and five hospitals, one field hospital, nine primary care centers, and 23 medical points within one kilometer of those zones.
In northern Gaza, nearly all health care has collapsed. Al-Awda Hospital is barely functioning as a trauma stabilization point. The hospital risks shutting down entirely due to ongoing attacks and blocked access. On Wednesday, the third floor was hit, injuring a staff member and damaging the water system. Today, the hospital was struck again. The third and fourth floors were hit, two health workers were injured, tents caught fire, medical supplies were destroyed, and vehicles burned. A WHO mission trying to reach the hospital was unable to proceed.
The Indonesian Hospital has been out of service since May 18 due to military presence, which has made the site unreachable. A WHO team tried to deliver food, water, and assess patient conditions but had to abort the mission after a four-hour wait. Another attempt today also failed due to security concerns.
Kamal Adwan Hospital, the only facility in North Gaza that treated severe acute malnutrition, stopped functioning on May 20 after heavy fighting nearby. Patients were either discharged early or evacuated.
In the south, hospitals such as Nasser Medical Complex, Al-Amal, and Al-Aqsa are overwhelmed by large numbers of injured people. The recent wave of displacement to Deir al Balah and Khan Younis has worsened the situation. The European Gaza Hospital has been out of service since a May 13 attack, cutting off access to neurosurgery, cardiac care, and cancer treatment, which are not available elsewhere in Gaza.
Today, only 2,000 hospital beds are available for a population of more than 2 million. Of these, at least 40 are in facilities located inside new evacuation zones, and another 850 are at risk if nearby hospitals are forced to shut down.
Ongoing fighting and military blockades are making it impossible for patients to access treatment, for medical staff to work safely, and for WHO to deliver critical supplies.
Each hospital closure strips patients of lifesaving care and reverses months of efforts to keep the health system running. WHO says hospitals are being repaired and restocked only to be attacked again. This destructive cycle must stop.
Despite constant fear, local and international health workers continue to provide emergency care. WHO praised their dedication and bravery.
WHO is calling for the protection of all health facilities. Hospitals must not be attacked or used for military purposes.
The organization also urged for large-scale humanitarian aid to enter Gaza through all possible routes, and for full access to reach those in need. WHO joined the UN in stating that aid operations have been effective and should be allowed to continue without obstruction.
WHO is once again calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire to protect health, save lives, and restore humanity.
Related Topics:
