Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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September 26, 2025 Healthcare
The escalating Israeli military offensive in Gaza is paralyzing medical work. This month alone, four more hospitals in the northern enclave have been forced to close, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Friday.
"There are only 14 hospitals functioning in Gaza… The situation in the remaining eight hospitals and one field hospital in the city is critical," said WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic.
The hospital closures come as Israeli forces advance deeper into the city. The IDF claims the operation aims to drive out Hamas militants. Evacuation orders are forcing hundreds of thousands of people to leave the city.
"Even if hospitals are not formally subject to evacuation, access to them is difficult, fighting is ongoing nearby, and this could completely disable them," Jasarevic noted in a conversation with journalists in Geneva.
Gaza City is the backbone of the Strip's health system.
Almost half of all hospitals and field hospitals in the enclave are concentrated in Gaza, so the city's medical infrastructure is of key importance.
"Hospitals in the south are overwhelmed and unable to accommodate more patients," Yasarevic emphasized. According to the organization, there are currently eight hospitals operating in the Gaza Strip, three in Deir el-Balah, and three in Khan Younis. None of them are fully operational.
WHO officials say medical teams at the remaining facilities are "overwhelmed by the influx of people injured in the attacks" and must also care for patients with chronic and other illnesses.
As of September 1, four hospitals in northern Gaza have ceased operations: Al-Rantisi Children's Hospital, the Ophthalmology Clinic, St. John's Hospital, and the Hamada Clinic for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics.
The WHO emphasizes that the latter was one of the three leading specialized rehabilitation centers in the sector. It treated approximately 250 outpatients and also admitted approximately 200 people daily who were injured while attempting to receive humanitarian aid.
Attacks on medical facilities
The Al-Rantisi Hospital, the only specialized pediatric facility in the sector, suffered the most severe damage. On September 16, it was hit directly while 80 patients were inside. There were no casualties, but water tanks, communication systems, and some medical equipment were destroyed.
Half of the patients were forced to leave the building, but approximately 40 remain in the hospital, including four children in intensive care and eight newborns. The remaining equipment was transported to Al-Hela, Al-Sahaba, and Patient Friendly hospitals in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the situation at eight operating hospitals and one field hospital remains critical. There are shortages of medications, patients are lying on the floor, and staff are struggling to cope.
WHO warns of shortages of blood and transfusion supplies: "Without urgent replenishment, supplies will run out in the coming days."
According to humanitarian agencies, almost all attacks on medical facilities recorded between September 7 and 17 occurred in Gaza, with one in Khan Younis.
Evacuation and ceasefire required
"More violence means more wounded, more deaths and less aid," Jasarevic emphasized.
He said more than 15,000 people in Gaza need urgent evacuation to receive specialized treatment, but the process is proceeding extremely slowly.
“We can only once again call for a ceasefire and free access to support what remains of the health system in Gaza – with medicines, emergency teams and everything necessary,” the WHO representative added.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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