Gaza’s health sector faces total collapse, with nearly 170,000 wounded Palestinians still awaiting treatment amid critical shortages of supplies and the destruction of hospitals. Dr Munir al-Borsh, Director-General of Gaza’s Ministry of Health, warned that over 400 urgent surgeries are needed immediately to save lives, but facilities are overwhelmed and unable to cope. “Without urgent medical aid, thousands more could die,” he said.

Only a handful of hospitals remain partially operational after months of relentless attacks. Thirty-eight facilities have been destroyed, while the rest operate under extreme conditions, lacking electricity, fuel, clean water, and essential anaesthesia. Doctors report performing surgeries without painkillers and treating patients on floors and in corridors. Equipment failures, including ventilators and dialysis units, have led to preventable deaths, affecting even premature babies. The World Health Organization has described the situation as “beyond catastrophic.”

Officials also warn of a looming public health disaster, with contaminated water and collapsing sanitation systems raising the risk of epidemics. International agencies, including WHO and Médecins Sans Frontières, have called for safe humanitarian corridors, but access remains blocked as border crossings stay closed. Even if hostilities cease, rebuilding Gaza’s healthcare system will take years, highlighting the devastating impact of the ongoing genocidal war on civilian infrastructure.