Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, Director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, has issued a grave warning regarding the dire state of Gaza’s healthcare system. In an exclusive interview, he revealed that hospitals are unable to provide essential medical services due to severe shortages of drugs and supplies, a situation exacerbated by the Israeli blockade that has persisted for nearly a month.

Describing hospitals as being in a “catastrophic state,” Abu Salmiya highlighted the lack of medical equipment, staff, and vital medications, particularly anesthesia and surgical supplies. The ongoing military offensive, which resumed on March 19, has intensified the strain on medical resources, forcing medical staff to make heart-wrenching decisions about patient care.

With only three ICU beds operational in northern Gaza, the shortage of hospital beds poses a significant threat to patients. Over 15,000 wounded individuals require urgent medical treatment abroad, yet only a fraction—1,200—have been permitted to leave through the Rafah border crossing. The number of amputation cases has reached 4,500, affecting 800 children and 500 women, while more than 2,000 individuals are now paralyzed due to severe spinal injuries.

The fuel crisis further complicates the situation, with hospitals left with only days’ worth of fuel. Medical staff are forced to ration supplies, and the lack of functional oxygen stations is critical, as only one remains operational in northern Gaza.

Children have been disproportionately affected by the ongoing conflict, with reports indicating that 17,000 children have been killed and 6,000 injured. Many urgently need medical care that can only be provided outside Gaza.

Dr. Ahed Samour, Director-General of Primary Care at the Ministry of Health, noted that 32 out of 50 health centers have been destroyed, leaving many patients without access to essential medications. The blood supply is also at critical levels, with the Ministry of Health calling for urgent blood donations to meet the increasing demands from wounded patients.

Health officials and humanitarian organizations are pleading for an immediate end to the blockade and unrestricted access to medical aid, warning that Gaza’s healthcare system teeters on the brink of total collapse. The international community must act swiftly to alleviate this humanitarian crisis.