Gaza, December 23, 2025: Gaza’s health system is facing an unprecedented crisis, with thousands of patients at risk of death or permanent disability, as hospitals struggle amid a continuing Israeli siege, senior health officials have warned.
Munir al-Barsh, director-general of Gaza’s Ministry of Health, described the situation as “tragic and horrific,” telling Al Jazeera that Israeli authorities continue to block essential medical supplies, severely undermining the ability of doctors to treat critical cases. Despite a U.S.-backed ceasefire that took effect in October, Israel has repeatedly failed to allow agreed quantities of medical aid trucks into Gaza, deepening a humanitarian and health emergency.
Al-Barsh reported that nearly three-quarters of essential medical supplies are unavailable, including anaesthetics, surgical consumables, dialysis equipment, and solutions. Hospitals are also struggling with frequent power outages and a shortage of generators, further hampering treatment. He warned that the current crisis represents the most dangerous situation for Gaza’s health system since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority over 30 years ago.
Since the start of Israel’s war, which has lasted more than two years, nearly all hospitals and health facilities in Gaza have been targeted, with at least 125 health facilities damaged, including 34 hospitals. More than 1,700 health workers have been killed, and 95 medical personnel, including 80 from Gaza, remain detained by Israel.
The crisis is affecting not only those injured in the conflict. Al-Barsh said some 4,000 glaucoma patients face permanent blindness, nearly 40,000 displaced pregnant women are living in unsafe conditions, and an estimated 320,000 children under five are at risk of malnutrition due to restricted humanitarian aid.
A system exists for transporting patients outside Gaza for treatment, but waiting lists are long, and delays have proved fatal. At least 1,156 patients have died while awaiting approval to travel, and nearly 20,000 remain on waiting lists. Of these, 18,500 have been approved by the World Health Organization, while about 3,700 are in critical condition, including 4,300 children.
Al-Barsh urgently called on Israel to open border crossings to allow humanitarian aid and medical transfers, warning that further delays could cost countless lives. Since October 2023, over 71,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 171,000 wounded in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
