Three years of Gaza genocide: Israeli assault leaves health system in ruins

Three years of Israeli war have devastated Gaza’s healthcare system, reducing its capacity to deliver even the most basic health services and undermining its ability to respond to needs of the population. Israel's brutal military campaign has killed hundreds of health workers, destroyed health facilties, and deprived medical teams of equipment and supplies needed to care for patients. Health workers and medical facilities hit by war According to WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, more than 1,700 health workers have been killed in at least 920 attacks on health facilities and staff in the last three years. The attacks had also affected 386 ambulances. The UN health agency’s latest situation update said only 2,253 inpatient beds and just 104 ICU beds, 343 maternity beds, 384 emergency room beds and 126 incubators remain available across Gaza health services to serve a population of over 2 million people. Healthcare system pushed to the brink Before the war in October 2023, the Gaza Strip had 36 hospitals operating within its healthcare system. According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) assessment, only 19 remain partially fuctioning now. Primary healthcare has also been severely affected. Of the 233 primary health care facilities, only 146 are functional, leaving large parts of the population with limited access to routine and specialized care. Shortages deepen pressure on patients Due to Israeli restrictions on "dual-use" items, essential medicines including insulin, diagnostic equipment and fuel are in critically short supply. Cancer patients are unable to consistently access treatment, kidney patients face difficulties obtaining regular dialysis, and mothers and newborns face increased risks. Thousands of people have also suffered amputations – often without anesthesia – and other life-changing injuries, while rehabilitation services remain severely limited. Diagnostic capacity remains restricted by shortages of equipment, consumables, generator fuel and spare parts. Overall, estimates showed at least 2,000 people in Gaza are being diagnosed with cancer each year, 45,000 patients are living with cardiovasculur diseases, and over 1 million have mental disorders. Meanwhile, more than 500,000 women of reproductive age lack access to essential services including antenatal care, postnatal care, family planning, and management of sexual transmitted infections. Displacement and poor sanitation add to health risks The collapse of healthcare is compounded by deteriorating water, sanitation, shelter and living conditions. According to WHO estimates, about 1.7 million people remain displaced, many living in overcrowded conditions with inadequate shelter, water and sanitation. Health authorities and humanitarian organizations continue to report respiratory infections, skin diseases and acute watery diarrhoea, while water contamination and inadequate sanitation increase the risk of further outbreaks. For patients whose conditions cannot be treated locally, medical evacuation remains a critical lifeline. In a September report, the WHO said over 13,760 patients have been medically evacuated from Gaza since October 2023, but tens of thousands more still require specialized care unavailable inside the territory.​​​​​​​ Reinhilde Van de Weerdt, WHO representative for the occupied Palestinian territory, told a media briefing in April that rebuilding Gaza's healthcare system will require an estimated $10 billion over the next five years.