DaysofPal –The Gaza Strip is facing a severe public health emergency, with more than 70,000 cases of hepatitis recorded across the enclave, according to Khalil al-Daqran, spokesman for Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. He warned that the situation could deteriorate rapidly if border crossings remain closed and vital medical supplies continue to be blocked.
In a press statement on Tuesday, al-Daqran said that thousands of infected patients urgently need treatment outside Gaza but are unable to leave due to Israel’s continued closure of crossings.
“The spread of epidemic diseases is worsening amid the complete collapse of the health system,” he said, calling for the immediate reopening of crossings to prevent further catastrophe.
Al-Daqran reported that more than 68,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began on October 7, 2023, while over 10,000 remain missing. He added that thousands are believed to still be trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings, as rescue operations are hampered by severe fuel shortages, equipment scarcity, and Israeli restrictions on movement.
He appealed to Arab countries and the international community to intervene urgently to help recover bodies and provide medical assistance. “The occupation has allowed the entry of only nine trucks of medical aid, an amount that does not meet even the minimum emergency needs,” he said.
The health crisis extends beyond hepatitis. Al-Daqran noted that 41 percent of kidney patients in Gaza have died since the war began due to the lack of dialysis supplies and electricity outages.
He said that 67 percent of essential medical items are now completely unavailable in hospitals and clinics, leaving doctors unable to treat even basic conditions.
Since the start of Israel’s genocide in October 2023, one of the deadliest conflicts in recent history, Gaza has suffered devastating losses. According to health authorities, the war has left over 238,000 Palestinians killed or wounded, most of them women and children. More than 11,000 people remain missing, while hundreds of thousands have been displaced from their homes.
Humanitarian organizations warn that Gaza’s health infrastructure has been “irreparably damaged,” adding to the suffering caused by famine and illness. The situation is “beyond crisis,” according to medical professionals, and entire cities and neighborhoods have been destroyed.
“The people of Gaza are dying not only from bombs but also from hunger, thirst, and disease,” al-Daqran said. “Without immediate intervention, thousands more lives will be lost.”
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