Fuel shortages catastrophic for Gaza's health services: WHO
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Gaza, which has faced ongoing Israeli bombardment since October 7, has long grappled with acute fuel shortages due to total Israeli blockade.
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Patients and forcibly displaced people at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on November 10 amid Israeli genocide. (AFP)
The director general of the World Health Organization has cautioned that severe fuel shortages in Gaza could severely worsen the already devastated health services in the war-torn Palestinian region.
Gaza, which has faced ongoing Israeli bombardment since October 7, has long grappled with acute fuel shortages due to the Israeli blockade.
Further disruption to health services is imminent in #Gaza due to a severe lack of fuel.
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) July 4, 2024
Only 90,000L of fuel entered Gaza yesterday. The health sector alone needs 80,000L daily, forcing the @UN - incl. @WHO - and partners to make impossible choices. pic.twitter.com/XIlvDJj2Xg
"Further disruption to health services is imminent in Gaza due to a severe lack of fuel," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said late Thursday on X.
Gaza is entirely blockaded
In further detail, the UN Health Agency warned that Gaza received only 90,000 liters of fuel on Wednesday, far below the 80,000 liters required daily just for the health sector.
Tedros added that WHO and its partners in Gaza are now facing agonizing decisions due to these severe shortages.
This comes as Gaza is entirely blockaded, with Israeli authorities controlling all incoming supplies. Fuel, in particular, has been scarce despite it being crucial for powering hospital generators and maintaining humanitarian and emergency vehicles.
Gaza health crisis looms as Nasser Medical Complex faces electricity shutdown
In a related context, the Gaza Media Office warned Thursday, in a press release that the Ministry of Health issued a serious warning about the potential shutdown of electricity generators at the Nasser Medical Complex, the main remaining hospital providing services after the European Gaza Hospital ceased operations in Khan Younis and Rafah governorates.
This could lead to the cessation of health and medical services, posing a humanitarian crisis, as per the office.
"We hold the occupation, the US administration, and all relevant authorities fully responsible for any disaster or crisis that may occur at any moment, potentially leading to fatalities among patients, especially those in intensive care units," it further stressed.
The office also called upon the international community, UN agencies, and international institutions to urgently supply fuel to Nasser Medical Complex before it's too late. "We urge immediate intervention to supply all hospitals with fuel, rehabilitate them, and restore their operations to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe that could claim the lives of many patients," it added.
It is worth noting that the number of Palestinians killed by the Israeli occupation reached 38,011, in addition to 87,445 injuries, according to the daily report published by the Health Ministry in Gaza.
