Dr. Hanan Balkhy, the regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean at the World Health Organization, has warned that ongoing Israeli restrictions on the entry of medical aid into the Gaza Strip are severely obstructing the health response, as disease risks continue to rise.
Speaking on Monday, Balkhy said the crisis in Gaza is no longer driven solely by Israeli attacks, but also by the systematic obstruction of access to healthcare services—placing the lives of Palestinians at increasing risk.
“We are clearly seeing that access to healthcare is under serious threat,” she said. “The health system is operating at maximum capacity, with rapidly diminishing resources, severely limited access, and growing needs.”
She stressed that life-saving supplies exist but are not reaching Gaza.
“Trucks, medicines, and medical supplies are waiting, while patients are either not receiving care or receiving very limited treatment,” Balkhy said. “Most crossings into Gaza remain closed, and the flow of medical aid is heavily restricted, undermining the entire health response.”
Fuel Shortages Threaten Collapse
Balkhy also highlighted the severe fuel shortage entering Gaza, noting that it remains far below required levels. As a result, hospitals have been forced to operate on reduced and rotating schedules.
“Without fuel, hospitals will stop functioning,” she warned. “This is not only a threat to individual facilities, but to the entire health system.”
Medical Evacuations Severely Limited
She added that the latest escalation has also affected the ceasefire arrangements meant to facilitate aid delivery and medical evacuations.
According to Balkhy, evacuation efforts remain irregular and insufficient, preventing critically ill patients from accessing life-saving treatment outside of Gaza.
Since the ceasefire began, only 388 patients—including 47 children—have been evacuated, she said. Since October 2023, the WHO has supported the evacuation of 3,668 patients.
Long-Term Health Risks
Balkhy warned that rebuilding Gaza—both its infrastructure and housing—could take decades, creating conditions that may lead to the spread of disease and a worsening health crisis.
With hospitals overwhelmed, supplies blocked, and patients unable to leave for treatment, Gaza’s health system is facing what officials describe as an unprecedented collapse under the ongoing Israeli siege and assault.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=73821
