By Bunmi Yekini
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over the systematic collapse of Gaza’s health system, as intensified Israeli military operations push more hospitals out of service, deepen humanitarian suffering, and severely hamper medical response efforts.
Four major hospitals, Kamal Adwan, Indonesia Hospital, Hamad Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, and European Gaza Hospital—have been forced to suspend services in the past week due to attacks, evacuations, and their proximity to ongoing hostilities. Since October 2023, the WHO has documented 697 attacks on health care in Gaza, including 28 in the past week alone.
Currently, only 19 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals remain partially functional. Just 12 offer a range of health services, while the rest provide only emergency care. WHO reports that a staggering 94% of the territory’s hospitals have been damaged or destroyed. The humanitarian organization warns that the situation is worsening by the hour as fuel, medical supplies, food, water, and shelter become dangerously scarce.
“The destruction is systematic,” WHO stated. “Hospitals are rehabilitated and resupplied, only to be exposed to hostilities or attacked again. This destructive cycle must end.”
In North Gaza, Al-Awda Hospital, the last minimally functional facility, is on the brink of closure. Multiple attacks this week have severely damaged the building and injured staff, while triage tents and medical supplies provided by WHO were destroyed by fire. WHO attempts to access the facility have been repeatedly thwarted due to insecurity.
The Indonesian Hospital remains inaccessible due to a continuous military presence since May 18. Meanwhile, Kamal Adwan Hospital, home to the only center treating severe acute malnutrition in North Gaza, ceased operations on May 20 following intense fighting.
Southern Gaza is also buckling. Nasser Medical Complex, Al-Amal, and Al-Aqsa hospitals are overwhelmed by casualties amid a fresh wave of mass displacement. The European Gaza Hospital, targeted on May 13, remains out of service, cutting off access to specialized treatments such as neurosurgery, cardiac care, and cancer services.
Only 2,000 hospital beds are currently available for Gaza’s population of over 2 million—a dire shortfall. WHO estimates that up to 890 more beds could be lost if hostilities continue near hospitals within or adjacent to new evacuation zones.
WHO emphasized that ongoing violence prevents not only patients from reaching care, but also staff from providing services and humanitarian actors from resupplying critical medical facilities.
Reiterating urgent calls from the United Nations, WHO demands an immediate and lasting ceasefire, the protection of all medical facilities and workers, and unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip.
“Hospitals must never be militarized or targeted,” the organization warned. “Aid must be allowed through all possible routes to reach those in need.”
In the face of relentless violence, WHO commended the unwavering commitment of local and international medical teams risking their lives to deliver lifesaving care.