Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure is facing an unprecedented crisis that threatens complete systemic collapse, according to senior medical officials in the territory. Dr. Mohammed Zaqout, Director General of Hospitals in Gaza, issued a grave warning that the healthcare system is approaching a point of no return due to severe supply shortages exacerbated by external restrictions.
In detailed statements to the Shehab news agency, Dr. Zaqout explicitly accused neighboring Israel of intentionally blocking essential medical provisions from entering the territory. This blockade, he emphasized, directly endangers thousands of patients and wounded individuals who require immediate medical attention and ongoing treatment.
The crisis has been escalating over several weeks, with Munir al-Barash, Director-General of Gaza’s Health Ministry, reiterating similar concerns last week. Al-Barash specifically highlighted that Israeli military operations and the sustained blockade have created catastrophic conditions throughout Gaza’s medical sector.
During an interview with Al-Araby Television Network, al-Barash provided disturbing details about the scarcity of basic medical necessities. Healthcare facilities now lack fundamental supplies including wound disinfectants, intravenous solutions, and other critical medical components required for even routine procedures and emergency interventions.
Medical professionals report that the compound effect of infrastructure damage from recent conflicts and the inability to replenish medical inventories has created a perfect storm. Hospitals are operating at minimal capacity with many critical services suspended indefinitely. The situation has forced healthcare workers to make impossible triage decisions while facing unprecedented ethical dilemmas in patient care.
The humanitarian implications extend beyond immediate medical concerns, potentially affecting long-term public health outcomes throughout the territory. International health organizations continue to monitor the deteriorating situation with growing alarm as diplomatic efforts to resolve the supply blockade remain ongoing.