Gaza Herald – Gaza’s health crisis is no longer limited to medicine shortages and damaged hospitals. The territory’s ambulance and emergency response system, often the first lifeline for the wounded, is now approaching collapse as months of genocide, blockade, and restrictions on essential supplies leave most emergency vehicles unable to operate.
Health officials say around 70% of the Ministry of Health’s vehicle fleet is now out of service due to direct damage, mechanical failures, and the continued lack of spare parts, tires, batteries, lubricants, and other maintenance supplies. Mahmoud Hamad, Director General of Administrative Affairs at Gaza’s Ministry of Health, warned that the worsening crisis threatens to prevent thousands of injured and critically ill patients from reaching hospitals in time.
The ministry currently operates 82 ambulances, of which 39 have stopped functioning completely, while 17 more require urgent repairs. Dr. Iyad Zaqout, director of the ambulance and emergency unit, said the system is nearing total paralysis, noting that even a single missing tire can sideline an ambulance because replacement parts are unavailable. He added that only 30% of the ambulance fleet remains operational, while authorities have been unable to replace vehicles destroyed or worn out during months of continuous operations.
The shortage has already had a direct impact on emergency response times. Despite functioning with less than one-third of its capacity, ambulance crews continue to carry out around 1,500 emergency missions each week. Officials say ambulances increasingly break down while transporting patients because of deteriorating roads and worn-out equipment, placing lives at even greater risk.
The crisis extends beyond ambulances. The Health Ministry oversees approximately 5,000 transport movements each week, including patient transfers, medical staff transportation, and the delivery of medicines and supplies. Around 100 service vehicles have also gone out of service, with 30 beyond repair and another 80 requiring urgent maintenance. The ministry has appealed to the international community to facilitate the entry of spare parts, fuel-related maintenance supplies, and 60 new diesel-powered ambulances, warning that without immediate intervention, Gaza’s emergency medical transport system faces complete collapse.
