SAFA — Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has warned that Israeli restrictions on the entry of medical supplies into the Gaza Strip have forced it to halt production of specialized facial burn treatment masks, leaving patients, including children, at risk of permanent disfigurement and lifelong disabilities.

The humanitarian medical organization said it produced its last 3D-printed facial burn treatment mask on October 14, 2026, after shortages of essential materials made it impossible to continue manufacturing the devices and providing the specialized treatment patients urgently need.

The suspension threatens to leave burn survivors without critical care at a time when Gaza's devastated healthcare system is struggling to meet the needs of thousands of injured Palestinians.

Children Face Risk of Permanent Disfigurement and Disability

MSF warned that without specialized facial burn masks, patients could develop serious complications affecting their ability to move, see, and breathe, potentially leaving them with permanent disabilities.

The organization explained that burn injuries in Gaza are not limited to those caused by Israeli airstrikes, as displaced Palestinians also suffer burns while cooking inside makeshift tents or using open fires in overcrowded displacement camps.

These dangers have become part of everyday life for families who have lost their homes and are forced to survive in shelters lacking basic safety measures and adequate protection.

For children suffering severe facial burns, the interruption of specialized treatment raises particular concerns about lasting physical complications that could affect them throughout their lives.

MSF: We Have the Expertise, but Not the Supplies

Doctors Without Borders emphasized that its medical teams possess the expertise and capacity to continue treating burn patients, but shortages of essential materials and medical equipment have prevented them from doing so.

The organization called for the immediate entry of medical supplies into Gaza, warning that further delays could result in irreversible complications for patients who need specialized and continuous care.

The halt in mask production illustrates how restrictions on humanitarian supplies can directly affect patients' recovery, even when trained medical personnel are available to provide treatment.

Israeli Restrictions Deepen Gaza's Healthcare Crisis

The warning comes as Israeli restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid and essential supplies, including medical equipment, continue despite understandings associated with the ceasefire agreement.

These restrictions have deepened Gaza's humanitarian crisis and undermined the ability of hospitals, healthcare providers, and international relief organizations to respond to the growing needs of patients and the wounded.

Medical facilities across the Strip continue to face severe shortages of essential supplies, while thousands of injured Palestinians require specialized treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term medical follow-up.

Thousands of Injured Palestinians Need Continued Care

MSF warned that the shortage of medical supplies is placing patients at risk of complications that could otherwise be prevented through timely treatment.

For burn survivors, particularly children, the consequences of interrupted medical care may extend far beyond their immediate injuries, potentially affecting their mobility, vision, breathing, and quality of life for years to come.

The organization reiterated its call for unrestricted access to essential medical supplies, stressing the urgent need to prevent treatable injuries from developing into permanent disabilities.

As Gaza's healthcare system continues to struggle under the weight of Israeli restrictions and widespread destruction, the suspension of specialized burn treatment has become another threat to patients whose recovery depends on medical supplies that remain out of reach.