Due to Israeli restrictions, 2027 patients died while waiting for treatment or medical evacuation in Gaza

According to the Palestinian news agency, Gaza Strip Medical Aid Director Doctor Mohammed Abu Afesh warned that the health conditions in Gaza are gradually deteriorating due to the occupying Israel keeping the border gates closed, restricting the entry of medicine and medical supplies, and disrupting diagnosis and treatment services.

Abu Afesh said that 2027 patients died in Gaza while waiting for treatment or going outside the region to receive treatment.

Stating that more than 21 thousand people needed medical evacuation in Gaza, Abu Afeş pointed out that no patient has been able to cross the Rafah Border Gate to Egypt for more than 5 days.

Abu Afeş noted that the health conditions of the patients have worsened due to the border gates being kept closed and the exit of the patients being delayed, and serious complications have arisen, especially in people with cancer, kidney failure, heart and chronic diseases.

Stating that diagnostic facilities and necessary materials, including laboratory and operating room services, are insufficient in hospitals, Abu Afeş also drew attention to the deficiencies in medicine, medical equipment and expertise.

Abu Afesh said that due to current shortages, health services have been reduced and patients cannot access appropriate treatment.

The number of health centers providing service decreased from 574 to 227

Reminding that the number of health centers serving from the north to the south of the Gaza Strip previously exceeded 574, Abu Afeş stated that today the number of health centers operating with limited facilities does not exceed 227.

Abu Afeş stated that the decline in health centers negatively affects follow-up services, nutritional support, food supplements and vaccination practices for pregnant women and children.

The Palestinian doctor warned that children born after October 2023, when Israel launched its attacks, may face long-term health problems due to malnutrition, weakened immunity and lack of medical care.

Israel's systematic violations targeting the healthcare sector

The health sector is among the most affected areas in the Gaza Strip, which is under the genocidal attacks and strict blockade of the Israeli army.

In Gaza, where the number of injured exceeds 175 thousand, there are thousands of cases of limb loss, as well as chronic diseases and long-term treatment needs.

Israel's targeting of hospitals, taking them out of service, and restricting the entry of fuel required to run generators in addition to medical supplies, disrupts healthcare services.

Israel continues to violate the ceasefire agreement, which came into force on October 10, 2025, with attacks.

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health in Gaza, 1,501 Palestinians have lost their lives and 5,323 people have been injured due to Israeli violations since the ceasefire came into force.

In Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip since October 2023, more than 74 thousand Palestinians lost their lives, more than 175 thousand people were injured, and approximately 90 percent of the infrastructure was destroyed.