Gaza Herald – The Palestinian Ministry of Health has issued an urgent warning over a deepening shortage of essential medicines and medical supplies, stating that more than one-third of core drug items have completely run out, while hundreds of others have fallen below emergency stock levels, creating a life-threatening situation for thousands of patients across the Gaza Strip.
According to the ministry, the crisis now directly endangers the lives of more than 4,000 cancer patients and thousands of individuals dependent on dialysis treatment. Officials said that the shortage as unprecedented, warning that the depletion of life-saving medications could lead to catastrophic health outcomes if urgent action is not taken.
The ministry said it continues to operate under severe financial constraints while attempting to prioritize the most critical medical needs. However, it stressed that the ongoing blockade of Palestinian fiscal revenues, particularly clearance funds, has severely undermined its ability to procure essential drugs and maintain stable supply chains.
Official data reveal the scale of the crisis: around 180 out of 520 essential drug items are now at zero stock, while 50 out of 97 oncology medications have completely run out. In addition, shortages have hit intensive care supplies, surgical materials, and cardiac intervention tools, forcing delays in urgent medical procedures.
The impact has already been severe in hospitals, where more than 11,000 surgical operations have been postponed due to the lack of equipment, including surgical sutures, cardiac catheters, and stents. Medical laboratories have also reported 79 completely depleted diagnostic supplies, further weakening the healthcare system’s ability to provide timely treatment.
The ministry also warned of a critical shortage in dialysis consumables such as filters, alongside deficits in surgical threads and specialized medical tools, particularly those required for cardiac and complex procedures. Officials said these shortages are directly disrupting operating rooms and emergency care services.
Health authorities emphasized that the crisis is unfolding amid a broader humanitarian collapse in Gaza, where hospitals are already strained by infrastructure destruction, fuel shortages, and overwhelming patient loads. They warned that the continued deterioration of medical services is pushing the entire healthcare system toward potential collapse.
The ministry estimated its total debt at 3.8 billion shekels, including 1.3 billion owed to pharmaceutical suppliers and medical vendors, further complicating procurement efforts and disrupting the flow of essential medicines into the territory.
In its appeal, the ministry called on international donors to urgently provide funding for life-saving medicines and essential medical supplies, alongside emergency financial support to sustain hospital operations and ensure continuity of care for patients.
It also urged immediate international pressure to secure the release of withheld Palestinian revenues, stressing that without rapid intervention, the healthcare system in Gaza risks total breakdown, leaving thousands of vulnerable patients without access to treatment or survival care.
