Gaza’s Health System is Crumbling—and the World Can’t Keep Looking Away

When Hospitals Become War Zones

Here’s the thing: a hospital is supposed to be a place of healing, not horror. But in Gaza, it’s become the latter. I was scrolling through headlines during my morning coffee when I came across a WHO warning: “Gaza’s health system is at breaking point.” Not strained. Not struggling. Breaking. That hit me.

Imagine a child with a high fever, but no working hospital to go to. Or a mother in labor, turned away because the ward has shut down. This isn’t hypothetical—it’s happening right now.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Let’s talk facts for a second:

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  Only 19 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza are partially operational.
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  Just 12 can still offer essential services.
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  More than 697 attacks on healthcare facilities have been recorded since October 2023.
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  Some hospitals—like Kamal Adwan and the Indonesian Hospital—have gone completely dark due to airstrikes.

Now, pair that with fuel shortages, blocked aid trucks, and a collapsing food supply, and what you’ve got isn’t just a crisis—it’s a full-blown humanitarian disaster.

More Than Headlines—This is Survival

I’ve never been to Gaza, but I’ve spoken to volunteers who’ve worked in war zones. They describe the eerie quiet of a hospital running on candlelight, the gut-punch of turning patients away, and the helplessness of watching someone die—not from injury, but from lack of insulin.

What’s worse? Aid is barely trickling in. On some days, only 107 trucks make it into Gaza—down from the pre-war average of 500. That’s like trying to put out a forest fire with a garden hose.

FAQ: What You Need to Know

Q. Why is Gaza’s health system collapsing?                                                                  A. Ongoing airstrikes, blockade on fuel and medical supplies, and repeated attacks on hospitals have crippled infrastructure.

Q. Is any aid getting in?                                                                                                          A Yes, but not nearly enough. Humanitarian groups say it’s “too little, too late.”

Q. Can the international community do more?                                                         A.Absolutely. The WHO and other agencies are calling for safe corridors and an immediate halt to attacks on healthcare.