Gaza's Healthcare System: Hospitals Under Attack

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has resulted in the destruction of several hospitals in Gaza. Since the start of the conflict, hospitals have been under fire, with the Israeli army accusing Hamas of using them for military purposes. As a result, the healthcare system in Gaza is facing attacks and acute shortages of supplies, with medical facilities becoming a central target of Israel's war on Gaza. The destruction of Shifa Hospital, Gaza's largest medical facility, is one example of the systematic dismantling of the region's healthcare system. As of November 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 164 attacks on healthcare in Gaza, with medical professionals struggling to safely evacuate patients and staff due to the ongoing conflict.

Israeli forces strike Red Cross/Red Crescent ambulances

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a devastating impact on the healthcare system in Gaza, with hospitals being put out of action due to fighting, fuel shortages, and Israeli raids. While it cannot be confirmed that all hospitals in Gaza have been destroyed, the impact of the conflict on the region's healthcare infrastructure is profound.

In the context of this conflict, there have been several reports of Israeli forces striking Red Cross/Red Crescent ambulances. One of the most notable incidents occurred in March 2025 and resulted in the deaths of 15 rescue workers. The incident was captured on video and sparked inquiries and investigations into the actions of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

The video evidence contradicted the initial claims by the IDF, which denied that the ambulances had their headlights or emergency signals on. However, the video showed a red fire engine and clearly marked ambulances driving with headlights and flashing emergency lights. The IDF's subsequent investigation found a series of failings, including an "operational misunderstanding" and a "breach of orders," resulting in the dismissal of the deputy commander of the involved unit.

Eyewitness accounts and analyses of videos, audio, and autopsy reports indicate that Israeli soldiers fired repeatedly on unarmed medics, continuing to shoot even as some crew members were still alive. This deliberate attack on clearly marked ambulances and healthcare workers is a serious breach of international humanitarian law and the laws of war.

The Red Crescent Society described the incident as a "summary execution," with one survivor, Asaad al-Nasasra, recounting how Israeli troops shot at first responders while they were trying to save lives. Another paramedic, who survived and was detained by Israeli soldiers, remained traumatized and has not spoken publicly about his experience.

The incident highlights the dangerous and challenging environment faced by humanitarian workers and healthcare providers in the Gaza conflict, where even ambulances and medics are not spared from the crossfire and military operations. The strike on Red Cross/Red Crescent ambulances further exacerbates the already strained healthcare system in Gaza, impacting the availability of emergency medical services for those affected by the ongoing conflict.

Israeli military accused of using hospitals for military purposes

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has destabilized the entire Middle East. The hostilities have severely impacted the healthcare system in Gaza, with most hospitals in the region being put out of action by fighting, fuel shortages, and Israeli raids.

In 2024, the Israeli military was accused of occupying hospitals in the Gaza Strip, causing the deaths and unnecessary suffering of Palestinian patients, amounting to war crimes. The Israeli military's denial of water and electricity left sick and wounded people to die, while soldiers mistreated and forcibly displaced patients and health workers, and damaged and destroyed hospitals. The Israeli military has also been accused of using hospitals for military purposes, including detaining an Israeli soldier, and finding weapons, technological equipment, and Hamas intelligence documents. The UN human rights office reported that the military detained hundreds of people while raiding the hospital.

The Israeli military has denied these allegations, stating that the Hamas terrorist organization has continued operating below Gaza's hospitals, using the thousands of patients, doctors, and staff in the building to shield its underground headquarters. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have also accused a journalist of being a Hamas operative and alleged that the hospital was being used by the group to "carry out terrorist plots".

International law prohibits the targeting of hospitals unless there is evidence that it is being used for a military purpose that is "harmful to the enemy," as well as the use of human shields for combatants; both constitute war crimes. Human rights groups have noted that Israel must abide by international law, especially the principle of proportionality, regardless of whether human shields were used by Hamas.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that by September 2024, only 4 of Gaza's 36 hospitals had not been damaged or destroyed by Israeli forces, posing a critical threat to the short- and long-term health of the population.

Israeli air and ground offensive devastates Gaza

Israel's air and ground offensive has devastated Gaza, causing widespread destruction and human suffering. The conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas has resulted in countless deaths and injuries, with hospitals and medical facilities struggling to cope with the influx of casualties.

The impact of the offensive on Gaza's healthcare system has been particularly dire. Local and UN health officials reported that Gaza's second-largest hospital was put out of service due to fighting, fuel shortages, and Israeli raids. The Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis ceased operations, leaving the already overwhelmed healthcare system further strained. The conflict has also disrupted the supply of essential goods, including food and fuel, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the Gaza health system is "stretched beyond breaking point." Israeli ground operations, airstrikes, and evacuation orders have rendered hospitals inaccessible or non-functional. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) stated that at least 20 medical facilities across Gaza had been damaged or forced out of service, condemning what they called the "deliberate asphyxiation of Gaza and the annihilation of its healthcare system." The destruction of Shifa Hospital, where Israeli forces killed 200 people, is cited as evidence of Israel's systematic dismantling of Gaza's healthcare infrastructure.

The offensive has also resulted in the displacement of Gaza's population. Israeli forces ordered Palestinian civilians to leave combat areas, with more than half of Gaza's inhabitants seeking refuge in Rafah. The Egyptian government expressed concerns that an Israeli ground invasion of Rafah could lead to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians attempting to flee across the border. The conflict has also disrupted education, with schools unable to operate due to safety concerns and damage to infrastructure.

The impact of the Israeli offensive on Gaza has been devastating, with widespread loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, and a humanitarian crisis. The healthcare system has been particularly hard hit, with hospitals struggling to provide care due to damage, lack of supplies, and obstruction of access for patients and staff. The international community has been urged to take action to protect the remaining hospitals and ensure accountability for violations of international humanitarian law.

Israeli blockade on fuel, water, and aid

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been an ongoing issue for decades, with both sides experiencing devastating losses. The situation in Gaza has been particularly dire in recent years, with the region facing a humanitarian crisis due to the Israeli blockade on fuel, water, and aid.

In October 2023, Israel announced a "total blockade" on the Gaza Strip, preventing the entry of essential supplies such as food, water, medicine, fuel, and electricity. This came in response to the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in about 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. The blockade severely impacted the already vulnerable region, contributing significantly to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The blockade led to a 90% drop in electricity availability, affecting hospital power supplies and shutting down desalination plants, resulting in a complete halt to running water. The lack of fuel also impacted sewage plants, causing sewage to flood emergency rooms in hospitals. This, along with the lack of staff and power, made it extremely difficult for hospitals to function properly and provide adequate care to patients.

The blockade on fuel, water, and aid has had devastating consequences for the people of Gaza. The lack of fuel and water has disrupted access to healthcare and deterred people from seeking medical treatment. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the Gaza health system is "stretched beyond breaking point." They reported that hospitals were facing acute shortages of supplies and that the lack of access to clean water and sanitation would lead to an increase in infectious diseases.

The blockade has also impacted the delivery of humanitarian aid. Israel has blocked or severely restricted the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, including food and medical supplies. This has resulted in severe shortages of food and medicine, with global experts warning of a looming famine. The situation has been described as a "deliberate asphyxiation of Gaza" by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), who have demanded that Israeli authorities stop the annihilation of the region's healthcare system.

The Israeli government has defended its actions by accusing Hamas of stealing supplies and keeping weapons and hostages in hospitals. However, the blockade has been widely criticized by the international community, including the United Nations, as a violation of international humanitarian law and an apparent war crime. The suffering of the people of Gaza has been immense, and the region continues to struggle under the weight of the blockade.

The destruction of Shifa Hospital

The siege of Shifa Hospital had devastating consequences. According to reports, the hospital contained 1,500 patients, 1,500 medical workers, and around 15,000 displaced people seeking shelter. During the siege, patients endured severe food and water shortages, a lack of healthcare and sanitation, and were forced to relocate between buildings at gunpoint. The siege resulted in the deaths of at least 20 patients due to limited access to care and restricted movement for health personnel.

Following the siege, a World Health Organization (WHO)-led mission conducted an initial evaluation of the destruction. They found that explosives and fire had severely damaged the emergency department, surgical, and maternity ward buildings. The oxygen plant was destroyed, and numerous shallow graves were dug outside the emergency department and administrative and surgical buildings. The facility was left non-functional, with short-term restoration deemed implausible.

The actions surrounding Shifa Hospital have sparked international criticism and accusations of violations of international law. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called for an independent investigation, while medical staff at Shifa accused Israel of directly causing civilian deaths. The head of the World Health Organization condemned the attacks on hospitals, stating, "hospitals are not battlegrounds."

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