KHAN YUNIS, Occupied Palestinian Territory — A severe fuel shortage has forced Al‑Awda Hospital in central Gaza to suspend most of its medical services, highlighting the deepening humanitarian crisis in the enclave and the fragile state of its healthcare system. Hospital officials warn that without immediate intervention, even essential services could soon collapse, endangering thousands of patients.
The hospital, located in the Nuseirat district, normally treats around 60 inpatients daily and provides care for nearly 1,000 patients seeking treatment each day. However, dwindling diesel supplies, needed to operate generators in the absence of a stable electricity supply, have compelled the administration to temporarily halt non‑essential departments. Only critical units such as the emergency department, maternity ward, and paediatrics remain operational, relying on a small rented generator and limited fuel reserves.
Ahmed Mehanna, a senior hospital official, said that under normal circumstances, the facility consumes 1,000 to 1,200 litres of diesel daily, but current reserves have fallen to just 800 litres, forcing the hospital to prioritise resources for life-saving care. Without fuel, vital equipment, including operating theatres, ventilators, and diagnostic machines, cannot function, placing patients at severe risk.
The shortage is linked to restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza, despite truce agreements allowing hundreds of aid trucks to deliver essential supplies daily. UN and aid agencies report that only a fraction of the agreed deliveries have reached the territory, leaving hospitals and civilians struggling for access to basic necessities, medicines, and fuel.
Residents and health workers described scenes of desperation, with patients being denied complex treatments like surgeries or diagnostic procedures, receiving only basic care due to power outages. The crisis underscores the precarious balance between survival and collapse in Gaza’s healthcare system, where limited resources threaten to push hospitals toward total shutdown.
International organisations and humanitarian agencies are being urged to step in urgently, ensuring consistent fuel and medical supplies to prevent further deterioration of healthcare services. The situation at Al‑Awda Hospital is emblematic of the broader struggle faced by medical facilities across Gaza, where ongoing conflict and shortages continue to threaten lives daily.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.