Logan Reid
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has seen a significant number of attacks on healthcare facilities, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting 492 attacks on healthcare in Gaza between 7 October 2023 and 19 September 2024. The attacks have contributed to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) stating that children in Gaza are caught in a nightmare. As of May 2025, at least 94% of hospitals in the Gaza Strip are damaged or destroyed, with the remaining hospitals struggling with severe supply shortages, lack of health workers, persistent insecurity, and a surge of casualties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of hospitals out of service in Gaza | 26 |
| Number of hospitals partially functioning in Gaza | 17 |
| Number of hospitals out of service in North Gaza | 19 |
| Number of hospitals in Gaza that are either damaged, destroyed, or out of service | 36 |
| Number of attacks on healthcare facilities in the Gaza Strip since 7 October 2023 | 304 |
| Number of attacks on healthcare in Gaza and the West Bank since the war began | 600 |
| Number of attacks on healthcare in the West Bank and Gaza Strip by 30 November | 427 |
| Number of attacks on healthcare in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and Lebanon by April 2024 | 906 |
| Number of attacks on healthcare in Gaza by June 2024 | 464 |
| Number of healthcare workers killed in Gaza by June 2024 | 727 |
| Number of healthcare workers injured in Gaza by June 2024 | 933 |
| Number of ambulances damaged or destroyed in Gaza by June 2024 | 113 |
| Number of ambulances attacked in Gaza by 20 November 2023 | 60 |
| Number of ambulances damaged in Gaza by 20 November 2023 | 55 |
| Number of ambulances out of service in Gaza by 20 November 2023 | 6 |
| Number of medical personnel killed in Gaza by May 2024 | 374 |
| Number of ambulances damaged in Gaza by May 2024 | 120 |
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What You'll Learn
Israeli attacks on hospitals and medical centres
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported attacks on hospitals and medical centres in Gaza, with a significant number occurring during the Gaza war. These attacks have contributed to a severe humanitarian crisis and a collapsing healthcare system in Gaza.
During the first week of the Gaza war, there were 94 attacks on healthcare facilities, resulting in the deaths of 29 healthcare workers and injuries to 24 others. By 30 November, the WHO documented 427 attacks on healthcare in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, causing 566 fatalities and 758 injuries. The attacks targeted ambulances, hospitals, and medical personnel, with the WHO verifying 906 attacks on healthcare in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and Lebanon by April 2024.
Specific incidents include the bombing and destruction of the offices of the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, a charity providing medical care for children, on 10 March 2024. On 31 March 2024, two tents outside Al-Aqsa Hospital were hit by Israeli airstrikes, and in May, Kuwaiti Hospital stated it was nonoperational due to attacks by Israeli forces, resulting in the deaths of two health workers. The Indonesian field hospital in Rafah was also damaged by an Israeli hit in May.
In October 2024, Israel fired ten missiles at the Yemen Al-Saeed Hospital in Jabalia, and an Israeli airstrike hit a mosque near the largest hospital in Deir al-Balah, where displaced people were sheltering. The European Gaza Hospital was attacked on 13 May 2025, with airstrikes targeting a tunnel underneath the hospital, resulting in 28 deaths and dozens of injuries.
The Kamal Adwan Hospital has been subjected to raids and attacks, with patients forced to evacuate and staff arrested. The Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis experienced an Israeli shooting in the maternity ward, resulting in the death of a girl and injuries to three others. The Indonesian Hospital and Al-Ahli Hospital were also hit by airstrikes, with the latter reporting arrests of doctors, patients, and medical staff by Israeli troops, rendering the hospital unable to receive patients.
The intensified Israeli military operations and attacks on hospitals have left the healthcare system in Gaza on the brink of collapse, with limited functionality and access to adequate healthcare for the Palestinian population.
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The Gaza healthcare collapse
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has resulted in a dire situation in Gaza, with hospitals and medical facilities bearing the brunt of the attacks. The healthcare system in Gaza is on the brink of collapse, with reports of damage to infrastructure, shortages of essential supplies, and a rising death toll.
Since the conflict escalated in October 2023, there have been numerous attacks on hospitals and medical centres in Gaza. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other humanitarian organizations have documented and condemned these attacks, which have resulted in the destruction of medical facilities and a severe disruption to healthcare services. The Al-Ahli Hospital director reported that Israeli troops arrested doctors, patients, and medical staff, with the building partially destroyed and unable to receive patients. The Indonesian Hospital, providing essential services, was forced to shut down due to a continued military presence in the area. The Kamal Adwan Hospital, a vital centre for treating severe acute malnutrition, was also targeted and rendered non-operational.
The conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with a devastating impact on the healthcare system in Gaza. By February 2024, reports indicated that every hospital in Gaza was either damaged, destroyed, or non-functional due to fuel shortages. The situation has further deteriorated, with the WHO stating in May 2025 that 94% of hospitals in the Gaza Strip are damaged or destroyed. The intensified military operations and evacuation orders have threatened even more health facilities, with North Gaza stripped of nearly all healthcare services. The few remaining operational hospitals struggle with severe supply shortages, staff shortages, and a constant influx of casualties.
The attacks on healthcare facilities have resulted in a dire situation for the people of Gaza. Medical professionals have described the conditions as akin to those during World War I, with a lack of essential supplies and limited functionality. The number of premature births has increased sharply due to inadequate care and nutrition for mothers. The conflict has also disrupted essential healthcare services for children, with a rise in preventable diseases such as diarrhoea. The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has expressed grave concern, stating that children's lives are "increasingly at risk from preventable diseases and lack of food and water".
The collapse of the healthcare system in Gaza has had far-reaching consequences, with limited access to medical care for the wounded and sick. The UN Population Fund warned of a potential spike in deaths due to disease and the lack of healthcare. The situation has been further exacerbated by fuel shortages, impacting the functionality of hospitals and resulting in a complete collapse of the healthcare system. The ongoing conflict and attacks on healthcare infrastructure have created a desperate situation, with humanitarian aid and relief efforts hampered by security risks and mobility constraints.
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The impact on pregnant women and children
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has had a devastating impact on the region's healthcare system, with hospitals and medical centres being targeted by Israeli attacks. This has had a severe impact on pregnant women and children, who are particularly vulnerable in times of conflict.
Pregnant women in Gaza face significant risks due to the limited access to healthcare. The UN Population Fund stated that there were 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza, and warned that deaths could soon "skyrocket" due to the lack of healthcare and disease. The collapse of the healthcare system has led to an increase in premature births, as mothers lack proper care and nutrition. The situation is further exacerbated by the shortage of fuel and power, which has resulted in hospitals shutting down and limited access to clean water.
Children in Gaza are also facing a dire situation, with the head of UNICEF describing their lives as a "nightmare". Cases of diarrhoea in children under five have surged, with 3,200 new cases reported in just one week. The lack of access to basic services and supplies, including food and water, has put young lives at risk from preventable diseases. The ongoing conflict has also resulted in the destruction of schools and other infrastructure vital for children's well-being.
The targeting of hospitals and medical centres has had a direct impact on the ability to provide care for pregnant women and children. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported numerous attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza, with many hospitals damaged or destroyed. The Al-Ahli Hospital, which provided maternity and paediatric care, was partially destroyed and left unable to receive patients. The Indonesian Hospital, which offered critical care for pregnant women and children, was also hit by airstrikes and rendered out of service.
The shortage of medical supplies and personnel has further compounded the challenges faced by pregnant women and children in Gaza. Doctors have reported a lack of essential supplies, including oxygen and nutritional supplements, which are crucial for prenatal and postnatal care. The displacement of medical staff due to the conflict has also impacted the availability of healthcare services, with limited access to doctors and nurses specialising in obstetrics and paediatrics.
The impact of the conflict on pregnant women and children in Gaza is profound and far-reaching. The destruction of hospitals and healthcare centres, coupled with the shortage of resources and personnel, has put their lives at extreme risk. The ongoing conflict has created a humanitarian crisis, with urgent calls for aid and assistance to support the vulnerable populations in Gaza.
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The role of the UN and WHO
The United Nations (UN) has played a significant role in addressing the crisis in Gaza, with various agencies working to provide humanitarian aid and support to the affected population. The UN has warned of a deepening health and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing his concern over the worsening situation. The UN has called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, protection for civilians, and full access for humanitarian aid. The UN has also raised concerns about the destruction of hospitals and healthcare facilities in Gaza, with the UN Population Fund stating that deaths could "skyrocket" due to the lack of healthcare. The UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, has faced challenges due to fuel shortages, impacting hospitals, water purification, and other essential services. The UN has called for the ban on the entry of international media to be lifted, allowing for greater transparency and accountability in the region.
The World Health Organization (WHO), a specialized agency of the UN, has been actively involved in addressing the healthcare crisis in Gaza. WHO has reported on the attacks against healthcare facilities in Palestine, with hundreds of attacks verified since October 2023. The organization has pleaded with the Israeli army not to destroy hospitals and has expressed extreme worry for the safety of medical staff. WHO delivers life-saving supplies, organizes external medical help, and monitors and responds to disease outbreaks. They have also provided Public Health Situation Analyses on the hostilities in the region.
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The Israeli blockade and fuel shortage
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with hospitals being targeted and essential supplies being blocked. The Israeli blockade and fuel shortage have had devastating consequences, exacerbating the suffering and loss of life.
Israel has imposed an air, land, and sea blockade on the Gaza Strip since 2007, severely restricting the movement of people and goods. This blockade has been described by Human Rights Watch as an "open-air prison," with Israel and, to a lesser extent, Egypt, controlling the flow of essential supplies and access to the outside world. The blockade has led to shortages of food, medical supplies, fuel, and construction materials, as well as high levels of poverty and unemployment among Palestinians in Gaza.
The fuel shortage in Gaza has reached critical levels, threatening the lives of 2.1 million people, according to the UN. Fuel is necessary to transport essential goods across the Gaza Strip and to operate bakeries, providing fresh bread to a population teetering on the edge of starvation. The lack of fuel also impacts access to clean water and endangers hospital patients who rely on electricity for life-saving equipment.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the health system in Gaza is at a breaking point due to Israeli military operations and fuel shortages. WHO reported that as of June 2024, Israel had attacked 464 healthcare facilities, killing and injuring hundreds of healthcare workers, and damaging or destroying ambulances. By February 2024, every hospital in Gaza was reported to be damaged, destroyed, or out of service due to a lack of fuel.
The Israeli blockade has directly contributed to the collapse of the healthcare system in Gaza. Hospitals have been forced to suspend medical services due to their proximity to hostilities and evacuation zones. The shortage of fuel has resulted in power outages, causing hospitals to shut down with patients still inside. The lack of fuel also impacts the ability of ambulances to transport the wounded to hospitals, further endangering lives.
The combination of Israeli military attacks, the blockade, and the fuel shortage has resulted in a dire situation where hospitals are unable to function, medical supplies are scarce, and healthcare workers are at constant risk. The blockade and fuel shortage have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with essential services struggling to operate and the population facing starvation and a lack of basic necessities.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear exactly how many hospitals were destroyed in Gaza, but by February 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that "every hospital in Gaza is either damaged, destroyed, or out of service due to lack of fuel."
Hospitals that have been reported as destroyed or out of service include Kamal Adwan Hospital, Indonesia Hospital, Al-Ahli Hospital, Kuwaiti Hospital, Indonesian field hospital in Rafah, Yemen Al-Saeed Hospital, Al-Awda Hospital, Al-Aqsa Hospital, and Al-Shifa Hospital.
Hospitals in Gaza were destroyed due to Israeli military operations and attacks. Israeli forces have been accused of deliberately targeting ambulances and health facilities with airstrikes, which is considered a war crime under the Geneva Conventions.
The destruction of hospitals in Gaza contributed to a severe humanitarian crisis, with thousands of sick and wounded patients facing death due to lack of healthcare. The World Health Organization warned that 46 out of 72 healthcare facilities in Gaza had stopped functioning, and only 19 of 36 hospitals remained operational as of May 2025.
