Thousands of patients and wounded individuals across the Gaza Strip are confronting an uncertain future due to the severe collapse of the healthcare system, medical sources reported on February 7, 2026. This dire situation has left many without access to essential care, exacerbating an already critical humanitarian crisis.
The few remaining operational hospitals in Gaza are struggling immensely to provide even basic services, according to a report by WAFA news agency on February 7, 2026. These facilities have been reduced to mere waiting stations for those desperately seeking medical attention.
Critical shortages of medicines and medical supplies plague the entire Strip, turning even basic painkillers into an unaffordable luxury for many, WAFA noted. This scarcity underscores the catastrophic impact on the population's health and well-being.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported on February 7, 2026, that 46% of essential medicines, 66% of medical consumables, and 84% of laboratory and blood bank supplies are completely out of stock. This severe depletion leaves vital treatments unavailable for countless patients.
Specialized services, including those for cancer, hematology, surgery, intensive care, and primary care, are among the most severely affected by the crisis, according to The New Arab on February 7, 2026. The limited medical aid reaching the Strip is insufficient to meet the overwhelming needs.
unicef reported on February 6, 2026, that no hospital in the Gaza Strip is fully functional, with only 50% (18 out of 36) operating partially. This widespread damage and limited functionality severely restrict access to life-saving medical interventions for the population.
- The healthcare system in Gaza has been systematically degraded by prolonged conflict and repeated attacks since October 2023, with over 930 attacks on health facilities recorded, according to a WHO Health Emergency Appeal published on February 4, 2026. This has left 81% of all structures across the Gaza Strip damaged or destroyed, severely impacting medical infrastructure.
- Key stakeholders involved in addressing the crisis include the Palestinian Ministry of Health, UN agencies like WHO, OCHA, UNRWA, and UNICEF, alongside international NGOs such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and HelpAge International. These organizations are working to provide aid amidst significant operational challenges and restrictions.
- The severe shortages have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups; HelpAge International reported on February 5, 2026, that nearly 70% of older people surveyed lack reliable access to essential medicines, with more than two-thirds forced to reduce or stop their medication due to shortages. Chronic illnesses, common among older populations, are going untreated, leading to life-threatening complications.
- Cancer patients face particularly dire circumstances, with local health organizations warning on February 4, 2026, that approximately 11,000 patients are deprived of specialized or diagnostic cancer treatment inside Gaza. Furthermore, 4,000 patients referred for treatment outside the Strip have been waiting for over two years to travel, as reported by un News.
- Humanitarian aid efforts face significant hurdles, including access restrictions and mission denials, as highlighted by OCHA on February 2, 2026. For instance, between January 23 and 29, 2026, 12 out of 50 humanitarian missions inside Gaza were denied by Israeli authorities, hindering the delivery of critical supplies.
- The situation for humanitarian organizations is worsening; MSF warned on February 3, 2026, that Israeli authorities' decision to halt its activities in Gaza would have catastrophic consequences, as the organization provided 800,000 consultations and supported one in three births in 2025. The bmj reported on February 2, 2026, that MSF is being banned after refusing to share staff details with Israel, further jeopardizing healthcare provision.
- The World Health Organization's Executive Board voted on February 5, 2026, to maintain a state of health emergency in the occupied Palestinian territories, reflecting international concern. The resolution condemned attacks on health facilities and personnel, emphasizing the urgent need for unobstructed humanitarian corridors and medical evacuations for the 18,500 wounded and sick patients.
- Beyond physical injuries, the mental health toll is profound, with an estimated one million people in need of mental health and psychosocial support, according to the WHO's February 4, 2026, appeal. UNRWA teams provided psychosocial services to over 248,000 displaced persons between October 2023 and February 2026, underscoring the widespread psychological distress.
