A group of British doctors who served in Gaza during the recent war have sounded the alarm, warning that the long-term consequences of the conflict could lead to a catastrophic surge in fatalities. Reports published by The Guardian highlight that disease outbreaks, severe malnutrition, and the collapse of healthcare infrastructure are putting tens of thousands of lives at risk. Experts estimate that the death toll could reach 186,000—four times the current official figure of 46,700 reported by the Ministry of Health.

The doctors describe an unfolding humanitarian disaster, where the destruction of hospitals, the deliberate targeting of medical personnel, and severe shortages of essential supplies have left the population defenceless against preventable illnesses and starvation. Professor Ghassan Abu Sitta, a British-Palestinian reconstructive surgeon who worked in Gaza’s hospitals, warned that malnutrition levels are so severe that many children will never recover, facing lifelong developmental challenges. Professor Nizam Mamoud, a British transplant surgeon, estimated that deaths caused by lack of healthcare, malnutrition, and disease could surpass 186,000. He also revealed that almost all specialists in key medical fields had been killed, leaving Gaza without kidney specialists, cancer doctors, or emergency physicians.

The collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system has left hospitals in ruins, with the few still functioning operating in dire conditions without electricity, water, or medical supplies. Even if doctors return, there is nowhere for them or their families to live. Last month, the United Nations warned that over 60,000 children in Gaza will require treatment for severe malnutrition this year, with some already succumbing to starvation. Abu Sitta described the spread of disease in Gaza as a catastrophe, demanding urgent international intervention.

As thousands of Palestinians return to northern Gaza, the scale of destruction becomes increasingly apparent. Entire neighbourhoods have been obliterated, leaving survivors struggling to rebuild their lives amid the ruins. Abu Sitta, who has testified before Scotland Yard and the International Criminal Court about the atrocities he witnessed, called the crisis a man-made disaster, emphasising that attacks on civilian infrastructure and healthcare facilities have worsened the suffering.

Human rights organisations and global health bodies are urging immediate international action to address the escalating catastrophe. Without urgent intervention, the loss of life will continue to mount, with devastating consequences for generations to come.