Gaza's Hospitals: Devastation And Resilience Amidst Conflict

are all the hospitals in gaza destroyed

The destruction of hospitals and vital infrastructure in Gaza has had a devastating impact on the region's healthcare system and civilian population. Since the conflict began, there have been numerous reports of hospitals being damaged or destroyed by Israeli attacks, with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other humanitarian organizations expressing deep concern over the situation. As of May 2025, only 19 out of 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip remain operational, with the rest either damaged, destroyed, or struggling to function due to severe supply shortages and staff shortages. The conflict has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, with limited access to healthcare, food, water, and shelter for the people of Gaza.

Characteristics Values
Number of hospitals in Gaza 36
Number of hospitals damaged or destroyed 20 out of 22 in Northern Gaza; 90% of all hospitals in Gaza
Hospitals attacked Al-Quds Hospital, Indonesian Hospital, Kuwaiti Hospital, Al-Aqsa Hospital, Indonesian field hospital in Rafah, Al-Awda Hospital, European Gaza Hospital, Nasser Medical Complex, Al-Amal Hospital, Al-Aqsa Hospital, Kamal Adwan Hospital, Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, Al-Rantisi Hospital, Al-Nasr Hospital, Nasser Rantissi Paediatric Cancer Hospital, Al-Shifa Hospital, Al-Ahli Hospital, Al-Amal Hospital, Nasser Medical Complex, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, Al-Shifa Hospital
Number of medical personnel killed 727
Number of medical personnel injured 933
Number of ambulances damaged or destroyed 113-130
Number of hospitals remaining operational 19-20
Number of hospitals partially functioning 12-17
Number of hospitals providing a variety of health services 12
Number of hospitals providing only basic emergency care 7
Number of hospital beds available 2000

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Kamal Adwan Hospital, Indonesia Hospital, Hamad Hospital and European Gaza Hospital suspended services

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, with attacks on healthcare facilities contributing significantly to the situation. The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep concern over the attacks on hospitals and healthcare workers, which have resulted in fatalities and injuries among medical personnel and the destruction of medical equipment and infrastructure.

Kamal Adwan Hospital, Indonesia Hospital, Hamad Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, and European Gaza Hospital are four major hospitals in Gaza that have recently suspended their services due to the impact of the conflict. These hospitals have been affected by their proximity to hostilities and evacuation zones, as well as direct attacks.

Kamal Adwan Hospital, located in North Gaza, was forced to stop operating on May 20, 2025, due to intense hostilities in the area. The hospital was the only centre in North Gaza treating patients with severe acute malnutrition, and its closure has left these patients without specialized care. Indonesia Hospital, once the largest hospital in North Gaza, has been a persistent target of the IDF and has been surrounded by Israeli troops and drones, preventing access. On May 18, 2025, the hospital was attacked by Israeli drones, and it is currently inaccessible due to the continued military presence.

Hamad Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics and the European Gaza Hospital have also suspended services due to their proximity to the conflict. The European Gaza Hospital was attacked on May 13, 2025, resulting in the loss of vital services such as neurosurgery, cardiac care, and cancer treatment. These hospitals are among the 19 out of 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip that remain operational as of May 2025, struggling with severe supply shortages, staff shortages, insecurity, and a surge of casualties.

The situation in Gaza is dire, with at least 94% of hospitals in the Gaza Strip damaged or destroyed, and the remaining hospitals overwhelmed with patients. The conflict has resulted in the displacement of people, shortages of food, water, and fuel, and the targeting of healthcare facilities and workers, creating an increasingly desperate humanitarian crisis.

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492 attacks on healthcare in Gaza, 492 killed, 120 ambulances destroyed

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that between 7 October 2023 and 19 September 2024, there were 492 attacks on healthcare in Gaza, resulting in 492 deaths. The WHO also reported that no hospital in Gaza is fully functioning, with only 17 of 36 hospitals partially functioning and the remaining 19 out of service. The Washington Post reported in May 2024 that only 4 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza had not been damaged by munitions, raided by Israeli forces, or ceased operations.

The conflict has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with a mass displacement of people, and acute shortages of food, water, medical supplies, fuel, and shelter. Hospitals and other critical medical infrastructure in Gaza have been targeted in nearly 600 attacks since the war began, according to the UN health agency. The attacks have resulted in the deaths of 613 people within healthcare facilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, with 606 in Gaza and seven in the West Bank.

CNN reported that 20 out of 22 hospitals in northern Gaza were damaged or destroyed during the first two months of the conflict, with half of them being directly hit. The Indonesian Hospital, in particular, has been persistently targeted by the IDF. In June 2024, footage showed that Israeli forces had destroyed the Noura al-Kaabi specialised dialysis centre at the hospital. On 18 May 2025, the hospital was attacked by Israeli drones.

The ongoing attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza have had devastating consequences for the population, with limited access to medical care and essential services. The situation has been further exacerbated by the displacement of people, food and water shortages, and the obstruction of humanitarian aid, pushing the people of Gaza to the breaking point.

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20 out of 22 hospitals in northern Gaza were damaged or destroyed

The hospitals in Gaza have been severely impacted by the conflict with Israel. During the first week of the war, there were 94 attacks on healthcare facilities in Israel and Gaza, resulting in the deaths of 29 healthcare workers and injuries to 24 others. The World Health Organization (WHO) documented 427 attacks on healthcare in the West Bank and Gaza Strip by 30 November, with 566 fatalities and 758 injuries.

CNN reported that 20 out of 22 hospitals in northern Gaza were damaged or destroyed in the first two months of the conflict, with half of them being directly hit. This was determined by examining satellite images and footage of each site, with craters near 11 of the hospitals indicating the detonation of 2,000-pound bombs. The Indonesian Hospital, for instance, was attacked by Israeli drones on 18 May 2025, and the Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City was forced to evacuate after receiving a warning from the IDF.

The intense hostilities have left hospitals in Gaza struggling. Only 19 of the 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip are operational as of May 2025, and they are facing severe supply shortages, a lack of healthcare workers, persistent insecurity, and a surge of casualties. The ongoing conflict and evacuation orders have made it difficult for patients to access care and for WHO and its partners to provide aid and sustain the healthcare system.

The destruction of hospitals and healthcare facilities in Gaza has had a devastating impact on the population's access to healthcare and has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region. The attacks on hospitals and the displacement of people have contributed to a situation where healthcare workers are providing care in extremely challenging and dangerous circumstances.

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Israeli forces have destroyed Gaza's vital infrastructure

Since the start of the Gaza war, Israeli forces have been accused of destroying Gaza's vital infrastructure. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that between 7 October 2023 and 19 September 2024, there were 492 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza, resulting in 492 deaths.

During the first week of the war, there were 94 attacks on healthcare facilities in Israel and Gaza, killing 29 healthcare workers and injuring 24. By February 2024, it was reported that "every hospital in Gaza is either damaged, destroyed, or out of service due to a lack of fuel". The Washington Post reported in May 2024 that only 4 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza had not been damaged by munitions, raided by Israeli forces, or ceased operations.

In addition to hospitals, other civilian infrastructure has been targeted. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been accused of destroying residential buildings, schools, and universities in areas where fighting is not taking place or has ceased. Israa University in northern Gaza was completely destroyed in what appeared to be a massive controlled explosion. The IDF has also targeted water and sanitation systems, causing sewage to flood the streets of Khan Younis in May 2024 and raising the risk of disease.

The destruction of vital infrastructure has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, making it difficult for people to access medical services and causing terrible living conditions that are detrimental to health. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has stated that the air and sea blockade imposed by Israeli authorities on Gaza since 2007 has created critical shortages of medical supplies, further contributing to the health crisis.

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90% of the Gazan population displaced, hospitals overwhelmed

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis, with 90% of the population displaced and hospitals overwhelmed. The health system is on the brink of collapse, with a severe shortage of beds, medical supplies, and healthcare workers. The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep concern over the situation, stating that the health sector is being "systematically dismantled".

Since the conflict began in October 2023, there have been numerous attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza. WHO has recorded 697 attacks on healthcare as of May 2025, with 492 individuals killed. Hospitals have been damaged or destroyed by munitions, raided by Israeli forces, or ceased operations due to a lack of fuel and supplies. As of May 2025, only 19 out of 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip remain operational, and those that are operational are struggling with severe supply shortages and a lack of healthcare workers.

The displacement of 90% of the population has put immense pressure on the already overwhelmed hospitals. The ongoing conflict has also disrupted the supply of food, water, and medical aid to Gaza, further exacerbating the crisis. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) have warned that relief supplies are nearly exhausted, and the entire population faces high levels of acute food insecurity. The risk of famine is not just possible but increasingly likely, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).

The conflict has taken a devastating toll on the mental and physical health of the population, especially children. More than 50,000 children have been killed or injured, and nearly every child has experienced displacement and trauma. UNICEF is working to provide assistance to children and their families, but the challenges of aid delivery in Gaza are significant. The organization is delivering incubators, medical kits, emergency supplies, and safe drinking water to displaced families. They are also pressing for the medical evacuation of sick and injured children and playing a key role in sustaining and increasing water production in Gaza.

The situation in Gaza is critical, with hospitals overwhelmed, the population displaced, and essential supplies running low. The ongoing conflict has devastated the health system and displaced the majority of the population. Humanitarian organizations are doing their best to provide aid, but the future remains uncertain without a ceasefire and increased protection for health services and humanitarian workers.

Frequently asked questions

No, but the situation is critical. As of May 2025, only 19 of Gaza's 36 hospitals remain operational, and 94% of hospitals are damaged or destroyed.

The Kamal Adwan Hospital, the Nasser Medical Complex, Al-Aqsa Hospital, Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, Al-Amal Hospital, and the Indonesian Hospital are among those that have been damaged or destroyed.

Hospitals have been directly hit by airstrikes, with roads leading to them destroyed, and Israeli tanks have surrounded hospitals. Medical convoys have been targeted, and ambulances destroyed.

The healthcare system in Gaza is at a breaking point. Hospitals are struggling with severe supply shortages, a lack of health workers, and a surge of casualties. There is also a critical shortage of hospital beds, with only 2000 beds available for a population of over 2 million.

The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations, and humanitarian organizations like Doctors Without Borders have expressed deep concern over the attacks on hospitals in Gaza. WHO has pleaded with the Israeli army not to destroy hospitals, and there have been calls for independent investigations and accountability for violations of international law.

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