Gaza Herald _The health situation in the Gaza Strip is rapidly deteriorating amid a widespread outbreak of viruses, acute shortages of medicines, and a severe lack of medical staff, medical officials warned on Tuesday, as Israel continues to restrict the entry of vital medical supplies and maintain the closure of the Rafah crossing.
The director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex said that Gaza is witnessing a significant surge in viral infections, while patients suffering from chronic diseases are facing life-threatening conditions due to the unavailability of essential medications. He stressed that hospitals are operating under extreme pressure, noting that Al-Shifa has only been able to restore 50 percent of its operational capacity because of extensive damage, insufficient equipment, and a critical shortage of healthcare workers. He called for urgent international pressure on Israel to allow the immediate entry of medical devices, medicines, and essential supplies.
In parallel, Gaza’s Ministry of Health warned that the continued closure of the Rafah crossing is exacerbating the health crisis to dangerous levels, directly threatening the lives of thousands of patients. The ministry reported that at least 1,268 patients have died since the start of the war after being denied permission to travel abroad for urgent medical treatment. It added that more than 20,000 patients with official medical referrals remain trapped inside Gaza, awaiting authorization to leave the enclave for life-saving care unavailable locally.
Medical authorities emphasized that Gaza’s healthcare system is nearing total collapse after months of sustained Israeli attacks on hospitals and health facilities, compounded by a crippling siege and severe restrictions on humanitarian and medical aid. Hospitals across the Strip are struggling to operate with minimal resources, forcing doctors to make impossible choices amid overcrowded wards, depleted stocks, and mounting casualties.
Health officials warned that unless urgent and unhindered access to medical supplies and patient evacuation is secured, the crisis could escalate into a large-scale humanitarian catastrophe, particularly affecting children, the wounded, and those suffering from chronic illnesses.
