Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital is the only governmental hospital in central Gaza. It provides services to about half a million people.
Al Aqsa brought to a stand still
But more than half of its medical services have already come to a stand still. Now its fourth generator has failed, leading to the closure of its operating rooms. In a press conference, on 31 May, the hospital’s director, Dr. Raed Hussein, warned that this “constitutes a direct threat to the lives of hundreds of patients”. The backup generators have also been out of service for more than a year. So, he says, the daily needs of vital departments in the hospital cannot be met.
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Any disruption to the electricity supply in a hospital can seriously endanger patients lives. Not only does it lead to certain vaccines, medicines, and blood donations being damaged, it can also disrupt medical equipment.
Dr. Hussein said the hospital’s intensive care, dialysis, pediatric incubators, and laboratories now also face imminent shutdown.
“Israel’s” military actions and siege in Gaza have produced catastrophic conditions, deliberately calculated to bring about the intentional destruction of Palestinians. Gaza’s electrical grid has been intentionally decimated by targeted attacks. At the same time, the Israeli occupation has prevented electricity from being directly supplied to Gaza since 7 October 2023. Fuel to operate Gaza’s only power station is also prohibited from entering the Strip.
The electricity crisis in Gaza is worsening. Fluctuations in the power grid and dependence on unstable power sources, combined with hotter summer temperatures have compounded problems. Meanwhile, the need for power to run medical devices and cooling systems grows urgent.
Continued restrictions by Israeli occupation having devastating consequences
All this means that hospital generators are now operated at their peak capacity for extended periods of time. Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital has used its generators continuously for the past three years, and they are now dilapidated. But the continued restrictions on entry of critical spare parts and backup generators leave staff with no choice but to run their generators until they no longer function.
Al Aqsa Martyr’s Hospital is appealing to international and humanitarian organisations to intervene immediately to save the hospital’s health system and secure a permanent electricity line and new generators. And it warns that any delay in response will cause “catastrophic consequences,” threatening the lives of hundreds of its patients.
The Gaza Strip is also experiencing severe shortages of fuel and engine oil. According to the Gaza Government Media Office, the Israeli occupation is allowing just 14 percent of the required amount of fuel to cross the border. A shortage of fuel not only impacts water and sanitation, but also ambulances and hospital generators, critical for patient survival. Without enough fuel, Gaza faces a total collapse of humanitarian efforts.
The genocide in Gaza has been carefully planned by the criminal regime of Israel. And through its continued restrictions on fuel, in addition to a lack of essential pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and life-saving equipment, the suffering of thousands of Palestinians continues.
‘Israel’ purposeful destruction
The Israeli occupation continues its assault on Gaza’s hospitals. More than seven months into the “ceasefire” there is still no fully operational hospital in the enclave. 43,000 Palestinians have been left by “Israel” with life-changing injuries, that need long term rehabilitation, including 10,000 children.
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Targeted attacks against the health care system also continue. Since January 2026, the World Health organisation has documented 22 attacks affecting hospitals and healthcare centres across Gaza.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, as of 1 June 2026:
- The Israeli occupation has killed 72,941 Palestinians in the Strip since 7 October 2023. A further 172,967 have been injured.
- Since the “ceasefire”, on 11 October, 932 Palestinians have been martyred, and 2859 have been injured.
- A total of 781 bodies have so far been recovered.
Featured image via Getty/Abid Katib
By Charlie Jaay
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