SAFA – Palestinian Health Ministry warned on Sunday that ambulance and medical transport services in the Gaza Strip are on the verge of collapse as Israel continues to restrict the entry of tires, batteries, fuel, and critical spare parts needed to operate and maintain emergency vehicles.

In a statement, the ministry said 70% of its vehicle fleet is now out of service, severely limiting the ability to transport patients, the wounded, and medical personnel to hospitals and healthcare facilities.

According to the ministry, 39 of its 82 ambulances have been permanently disabled, while 17 more require urgent repairs, placing immense pressure on emergency response efforts amid the deepening humanitarian crisis.

Despite these challenges, medical teams continue to carry out approximately 5,000 patient and staff transport missions each week, around 20,000 per month, in addition to 140 weekly truck deliveries transporting medicines and other essential medical supplies.

The ministry warned that the broader medical transport system is also nearing paralysis. Around 100 service vehicles are currently out of operation, including 30 that are beyond repair, while 80 others require immediate maintenance.

It added that supplies needed to keep the remaining vehicles operational are critically depleted, as restrictions on the entry of tires, batteries, fuel, and spare parts remain in place.

The ministry urged the international community, the United Nations, and humanitarian organizations to take immediate action to ensure the entry of maintenance supplies and 60 new ambulances, warning that any further disruption could have catastrophic consequences for Gaza's already overwhelmed healthcare system.