Jordan Ellis
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has resulted in a dire situation in Gaza, with hospitals becoming battlegrounds and the health system on the brink of collapse. As of May 2025, only 19 of Gaza's 36 hospitals remain operational, facing severe supply shortages, a lack of staff, and a constant influx of casualties. The Indonesian Hospital, Al-Awda Hospital, and Kamal Adwan Hospital have all faced attacks and been encircled by Israeli forces, with the latter two located in the North Gaza governorate, which is now devoid of functioning hospitals. The situation has been described as a human rights catastrophe, with healthcare workers risking their lives to save others and the WHO warning of a health system at the breaking point.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of hospitals in Gaza | 36 |
| Number of functioning hospitals in Gaza as of May 2025 | 20 |
| Number of functioning hospitals in Gaza as of May 2025 according to WHO | 19 |
| Number of hospitals providing a variety of health services | 12 |
| Number of hospitals providing only basic emergency care | 7 |
| Number of hospitals damaged or destroyed | 34 (94%) |
| Hospitals in northern Gaza encircled by Israeli forces | Indonesian Hospital, al-Awda Hospital, Kamal Adwan Hospital |
| Hospitals in southern Gaza | Nasser Medical Complex, Al-Amal, Al-Aqsa Hospital, European Gaza Hospital |
| Hospitals targeted by Israel | Kamal Adwan Hospital, Indonesian Hospital, al-Awda Hospital, European Gaza Hospital, Al-Shifa Hospital, Nasser Medical Complex, Al-Amal, Al-Aqsa Hospital |
| Hospitals with tunnels dug by Hamas underneath them | Al-Shifa Hospital, European Gaza Hospital |
| Hospitals evacuated | Kamal Adwan Hospital, al-Awda Hospital |
| Hospitals with directors killed by Israeli strikes | Indonesian Hospital |
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What You'll Learn
Israeli military operations and evacuation orders
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Israeli military operations and evacuation orders are "stretching the health system beyond the breaking point." WHO's Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that the closure of Al-Awda Hospital meant there were no remaining functioning hospitals in the North Gaza governorate, endangering the lives of those dependent on its services. Four major hospitals in Gaza, including Kamal Adwan Hospital and Indonesia Hospital, have had to suspend medical services due to their proximity to hostilities, evacuation zones, and attacks.
In June 2025, Palestinians in northern Gaza reported one of the worst nights of Israeli bombardment in weeks after the military issued mass evacuation orders. This came as Israeli officials were due in Washington for a new ceasefire push by the Trump administration. The intensified military operations have threatened an already weakened health system, with worsening mass population displacement and acute shortages of food, water, medical supplies, fuel, and shelter.
The impact of Israeli military operations and evacuation orders on hospitals in Gaza has been severe, with only 19 of Gaza's 36 hospitals remaining operational as of May 2025. These hospitals struggle with severe supply shortages, a lack of healthcare workers, and a surge of casualties, while staff work in dangerous and challenging conditions. The ongoing conflict and evacuation orders have pushed the health system to the brink of collapse, endangering the lives of countless Palestinians in need of medical care.
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Hospitals under attack
Hospitals in Gaza have been under frequent attack, with the World Health Organization (WHO) recording 697 attacks on healthcare in Gaza since October 2023. In May 2025, the WHO reported that Israel's intensified military operations were threatening an already weakened health system. Four major hospitals in Gaza—Kamal Adwan Hospital, Indonesia Hospital, Hamad Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, and European Gaza Hospital—had to suspend medical services due to their proximity to hostilities or evacuation zones. The Indonesian Hospital, in particular, was forced out of service due to the continued presence of Israeli troops since May 18, 2025.
Al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia, one of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza, was encircled by Israeli forces, preventing anyone from entering or leaving. It came under shelling as the Associated Press spoke to its director on the phone. The hospital's director stated that it was only minimally functional, serving as a trauma stabilization point. The hospital faced an imminent risk of closure due to ongoing insecurity and restricted access, and an attack on the third floor injured a staff member.
Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the largest in southern Gaza, was subjected to a week-long siege and shelling by Israeli ground troops, forcing thousands of displaced people sheltering there to leave. Israeli spokespeople claimed that Hamas used the hospital for military operations and to hold Israeli hostages, which, if true, would be a breach of international humanitarian law. However, critics argue that the evidence does not support Israel's claims, and that the country has committed genocidal acts by systematically destroying reproductive healthcare facilities.
The targeting of hospitals and medical personnel in Gaza has been documented in the film "Gaza: Doctors Under Attack." The film includes footage of doctors under what seem like targeted attacks, being detained and tortured. It also shows surgeons operating without water or electricity and treating wounds that have begun to rot.
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Lack of medical supplies, equipment, and personnel
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has severely impacted the region's healthcare system, compromising access to health services for its population. Hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed by the influx of sick and wounded individuals, with only a fraction of the region's medical centers remaining operational. The Indonesian hospital and al-Awda hospital in northern Gaza, for instance, have come under fire and faced challenges due to their proximity to Israeli troops and drones. Al-Awda hospital has reported a lack of ambulances and internet access, with staff and patients at risk of being fired upon by Israeli drones if they attempt to enter or exit the facility.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society's Al-Quds facility in northern Gaza has ceased functioning due to fuel shortages and unsafe access. Despite this, they continue to receive patients with nowhere else to go. The European Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, is also struggling with a severe lack of medical supplies, as described by chief surgeon Dr. Tom Potokar. He recounts instances where patients urgently requiring blood transfusions were unable to receive them due to shortages.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of dire shortages in hospitals and reported that medical teams are overwhelmed. Hospitals and other medical infrastructure in Gaza have been attacked numerous times since the conflict began, hindering their ability to provide care. The United Nations agency has documented nearly 700 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza since the start of the conflict. These attacks have disrupted the already fragile healthcare system and exacerbated the challenges in accessing essential medical care.
Humanitarian organizations are making strenuous efforts to support medical teams and provide emergency medical services in dangerous conditions. The Palestine Red Crescent Society, along with specialist ICRC surgeons, has been providing ambulance services and core healthcare support. However, the continuous attacks on health facilities and staff have created significant obstacles to delivering essential services, particularly affecting women and children. The conflict has also triggered further humanitarian crises, including food and water sanitation shortages, and outbreaks of infectious diseases, adding to the strain on the healthcare system.
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Healthcare workers at risk
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has put healthcare workers at significant risk. The UN Human Rights Office reported the killing of 500 health workers in Gaza since 7 October 2023, with the Gaza Ministry of Health putting the number at 1,057 as of December 2024. These killings have occurred alongside systematic attacks on hospitals and other medical facilities, violating the laws of war and international humanitarian law.
Health workers have faced detention and enforced disappearance, with the Gaza Ministry of Health reporting that 310 health workers had been detained by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) since 7 October 2023. Some released health workers alleged torture and ill-treatment while in Israeli custody, with two Palestinian doctors reportedly dying in detention due to torture. The UN Commissioner for Human Rights described a "pattern of attacks" involving Israeli airstrikes, ground raids, and the detention of patients and staff, rendering hospitals non-functional.
The conflict has severely impacted the healthcare system in Gaza, with most facilities damaged beyond use. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the intensified military operations threatened an already weakened health system, with rising malnutrition, infectious diseases, and dwindling medical supplies. The limited number of functioning hospitals and healthcare centres struggle to cope with the surge of casualties, and staff work in challenging conditions.
The targeting of healthcare workers and facilities has compromised access to health services for civilians, particularly vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. Humanitarian organizations have faced challenges in delivering supplies and equipment to Gaza, further exacerbating the crisis.
The situation in Gaza underscores the importance of protecting healthcare workers and infrastructure in conflict zones, in accordance with international humanitarian law. Efforts to safeguard healthcare workers and advocate for human rights principles are crucial to ensuring that civilians have access to essential health services during times of war and political instability.
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Humanitarian aid and protection for health services
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has had a devastating impact on the region's health infrastructure, with hospitals and medical centres bearing the brunt of the damage. As of May 2025, only 19 of Gaza's 36 hospitals remain operational, and those that are still functioning are struggling with severe supply shortages, staff shortages, and a constant influx of casualties.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the health system in Gaza is at a breaking point, with Israeli military operations and evacuation orders stretching the system beyond capacity. WHO has recorded 697 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza since October 2023, with four major hospitals (Kamal Adwan Hospital, Indonesia Hospital, Hamad Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, and European Gaza Hospital) forced to suspend services due to their proximity to conflict zones.
The situation has led to calls for increased humanitarian aid and protection for health services in Gaza. The EU's humanitarian aid chief, Janez Lenarcic, and Josep Borrell have called on Israel to open its land crossings to allow for the delivery of food, medical aid, and essential services. The World Bank has echoed these sentiments, demanding immediate, free, and unimpeded access for humanitarian workers and supplies.
UNICEF has also played a critical role in providing humanitarian assistance to children and families in Gaza. They have remained on the ground, working to provide safe drinking water, treatment for malnutrition, medical supplies, vaccines, and mental health services. However, they, like other humanitarian organizations, have faced challenges in delivering aid due to the ongoing conflict and disruptions at distribution centres.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an American organization backed by the Trump administration and the Israeli government, has also attempted to provide aid. However, their efforts have been criticized by the United Nations and other humanitarian groups for politicizing aid distribution and allegedly serving as a cover for Israel's aims to depopulate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. There have also been disturbing reports of Oxycodone pills being found in flour bags distributed by GHF aid centres, leading to accusations of deliberately targeting public health.
The protection of health services and humanitarian aid workers is crucial to providing care for the injured and sick in Gaza. The international community has called for safe and unrestricted access for humanitarian workers and aid, with specific calls for the protection of hospitals and other civilian infrastructure.
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Frequently asked questions
As of May 2025, only 19 of Gaza's 36 hospitals remain operational, with 12 providing a variety of health services and the rest providing basic emergency care. The last hospital in the North Gaza governorate, Al-Awda Hospital, was evacuated after an Israeli military order.
Healthcare workers in Gaza are at risk of being targeted and killed. More than 1,000 healthcare workers have been killed since October 2023. Despite the danger, many professionals continue to save lives, often at the risk of their own.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been trying to deliver food and water to patients and assess their conditions. The WHO has also reiterated calls for civilians and health workers to be protected. The United Nations Security Council met in January 2025 to debate the collapse of health services in Gaza.
