The Ministry of Health in Gaza warned that the health sector is facing unprecedented catastrophic challenges after two years of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.

Dr. Mohamed Zaqout, Director General of Hospitals, said in press statements today, Saturday, that the bed capacity in operating hospitals has reached 250% due to the large overcrowding of patients and the wounded.

He added that the health situation in Gaza is at its worst stages, noting that about 60% of medicines and 70% of essential laboratory supplies are completely missing, threatening the lives of thousands of patients.

He pointed out that the occupation deliberately destroyed hospitals and primary care centers, especially during its recent aggression on Gaza City, noting that the Specialized Children’s Hospital, the only one providing vital services in the city, had its nursery, intensive care units, and oxygen station completely destroyed.

He explained that major hospitals in the north and south of the Strip, such as the Indonesian Hospital and the European Gaza Hospital, have completely gone out of service, exacerbating the suffering of cancer, heart, kidney patients, pregnant women, and newborns.

He clarified that medical staff have been working under harsh conditions and complete exhaustion for two years, despite suffering from repeated displacement and loss of their relatives.

He reported that the war caused the martyrdom of 1,701 medical staff, including 320 doctors from various specialties, nurses, and administrators.

He pointed out that international organizations have been trying for months to bring in awaited medical supplies and devices through crossings, but none have arrived yet, expecting that the first batches of supplies will start entering in the coming days.

He confirmed that restoring the destroyed hospitals will require significant time and effort, calling for the urgent entry of medical delegations and speeding up the travel of the wounded and patients for treatment abroad.