One year after a ceasefire was declared in Gaza, the territory's healthcare system remains in crisis, with medical supplies restricted, evacuations stalled and more than 1,470 people killed since the truce began, according to the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP).
Writing from Gaza, a MAP staff member described a system overwhelmed by continuing trauma injuries, chronic shortages and a deteriorating security situation that has forced the suspension of some services.
“We’re being asked to do far more than Gaza’s devastated health system can sustain, while regular deliveries of medical supplies and equipment are still restricted and medical evacuations stalled,” the staff member said.
The World Health Organization estimates that more than 15,000 people in Gaza are waiting for medical evacuation, many of whom could die if delays persist.
In one case detailed by MAP, a newborn with a serious heart condition died at Assahaba Medical Complex because the emergency surgery required was unavailable in Gaza. In another, a 65-year-old patient was killed by Israeli military quadcopter fire while seeking treatment at a MAP-supported clinic in Jabalia.
Hospitals are running short of IV fluids, anaesthetics, surgical supplies and oxygen. More than 500 patients rely on oxygen, some around the clock, including those with cancer, pulmonary fibrosis and heart conditions.
“People are still arriving at our clinics with traumatic injuries because Israel’s bombardment continues,” the staff member noted.
MAP highlighted the case of Iktimal, a woman who died after her medical evacuation was approved too late. She had cervical cancer, a usually curable disease, but delays in biopsy testing and treatment contributed to her death.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The collapse of Gaza’s health system means preventable deaths continue daily, with patients unable to access basic care or life-saving evacuations.
- The failure of the ceasefire to restore medical access raises questions about the durability of the truce and the international community’s ability to enforce humanitarian provisions.
- Ongoing restrictions on supplies and movement affect not only trauma care but also chronic disease management, with long-term consequences for a population already devastated by war.
Background
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was announced on October 10 last year, ending 15 months of conflict that destroyed much of Gaza’s infrastructure, including hospitals and clinics. Hopes for a rapid rebuilding of the health system have not materialised. Aid groups continue to face severe access restrictions, while Israeli authorities maintain controls on what enters the territory, citing security concerns. The UN and WHO have repeatedly called for unimpeded humanitarian access.
Key Perspectives
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP): The charity says the ceasefire has not brought the promised relief, with continuing Israeli bombardment, restricted medical evacuations, and shortages of supplies and equipment. It argues that the health system is being asked to do more than it can sustain, and that patients are dying from preventable causes.
The Israeli government: Israel has not publicly responded to the specific allegations in the MAP report, but has historically stated that it facilitates humanitarian aid and that Hamas misuses medical facilities for military purposes, a charge the group denies.
The World Health Organization: WHO has documented more than 15,000 people awaiting medical evacuation from Gaza and has warned that delays lead to preventable deaths, but it has not directly blamed one party for the impasse.
What to Watch
- Progress on medical evacuations: whether the number of approved cases increases in coming weeks.
- Supply deliveries: whether essential medicines, oxygen and surgical equipment reach Gaza more regularly.
- Security environment: whether MAP and other aid groups can resume suspended services or if the situation worsens.