UN, Aid Groups Say Gaza’s Medical System near Collapse amid Aid Blockade

Medicine shortages are endangering the lives of patients in Gaza, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said on Tuesday.

“We make do with what we have, but the severe shortages of medicine, painkillers, and other essential medical supplies pose a grave threat to the lives of our patients,” said Dr. Muhammad, head of an UNRWA medical point in Gaza.

The agency cited the case of Loretta, a two-year-old girl who suffered burns when “scalding liquid spilled on her in the chaos of recent shelling.”

“Loretta’s mother brings her daily to the UNRWA medical point for treatment, but pain relief is often unavailable,” the agency added.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said Gaza has become “a mass grave of Palestinians and those coming to their assistance,” condemning Israel for showing a “blatant disregard” for the safety of humanitarian workers.

“We are witnessing in real time the destruction and forced displacement of the entire population in Gaza,” said Amande Bazerolle, MSF’s emergency coordinator in the enclave.

MSF reported that medical facilities have been subject to repeated attacks and evacuation orders by Israeli forces.

MSF teams have evacuated many facilities, while others remain operational with staff and patients trapped inside, unable to leave safely for hours.

The group also outlined several incidents that illustrate the deteriorating conditions on the ground. Strikes that were reported near MSF’s field hospital in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza. Israeli forces also launched strikes in the vicinity of the Al-Aqsa and Nasser hospital compounds. Since March 18, MSF teams have been unable to return to the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, where pediatric care was scheduled to begin. Additionally, mobile clinics in northern Gaza have been suspended, and in the south, teams have been unable to access the Shaboura clinic in Rafah.

MSF warned that the full siege of Gaza has exhausted food, fuel, and medical supplies.

It emphasized critical shortages in pain management medications, antibiotics, treatments for chronic illnesses, and essential surgical materials.

“The lack of fuel replenishment across the Strip will lead to the suspension of activities as hospitals rely on generators for electricity to keep critical patients alive and conduct lifesaving operations,” the group said.

Meanwhile, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz reiterated the regime’s stance on the aid blockade.

“Israel’s policy is clear and no humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza,” Katz said in a statement posted on X.

He described the blockade as “one of the main pressure tools that stops Hamas from using this means against the population.”

“In the current reality, no one is going to allow any humanitarian aid into Gaza, and no preparations are being made to allow any aid of this kind,” he added.

Israeli authorities have prevented all aid from entering Gaza for more than six weeks, aggravating an already catastrophic humanitarian situation.

Earlier on Tuesday, MSF condemned the “full siege” and its devastating impact on Gaza’s civilian population.