Gaza Medical Blockade Raises Alarm; Health Officials Warn of Impending Humanitarian Crisis
Director-General of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip has accused the Israeli government of obstructing the delivery of essential medicines and medical equipment to the area. The officials claim that this "drip-feed policy" concerning humanitarian supplies endangers the lives of thousands of patients in the region.
Pars Today, referencing IRNA, reported that Al-Barsh highlighted the dire situation for over 350,000 patients in Gaza suffering from chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, who are currently unable to obtain necessary medications. Furthermore, the border crossings required for the transfer of patients out of the region continue to remain shut.
Mohammed Abu Salmiyeh, who leads the Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza, has reported a significant increase in the mortality rate among premature infants, attributing it to a severe shortage of medicines. This shortage has led to a rise in infant deaths by as much as 35 percent. Abu Salmiyeh further pointed out that blockade efforts have resulted in trucks carrying crucial medical supplies being halted, severely crippling healthcare services.
Reports indicate that over 5,000 cases of amputations have been documented in Gaza, with more than 2,000 children among them. These individuals are enduring significant pain and psychological distress, exacerbated by the shortage of prosthetic limbs.
Abu Salmiyeh has reported a rise in congenital defects among Palestinian newborns, attributing this to the Israeli regime’s alleged use of internationally prohibited weapons and the impacts of malnutrition. These claims emerge amid ongoing tensions, as despite an official ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on October 9, 2025, Tel Aviv is accused of breaching the peace agreement by obstructing humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of Gaza’s infrastructure.
