Gaza Hospitals Face Crisis as 70% of Generators Fail Due to Fuel Shortage

The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced on Wednesday that 70% of the territory's hospital electricity generators are out of service due to a lack of fuel, oils, and spare parts, attributing the situation to the ongoing Israeli blockade. Zahiir Al-Wahidi, director of the Ministry's Health Information Center, stated at a press conference that the fuel and oil crisis threatens to halt critical, life-saving hospital departments at any moment. Al-Wahidi dismissed Israeli claims of facilitating medical aid and logistical supplies into Gaza as a "comical play" to "beautify the face of genocide and cover up the war of ethnic cleansing." He asserted that the limited supplies allowed into Gaza are insufficient for basic health facility needs. The suspension of public transport on Wednesday further exacerbated the crisis, preventing hundreds of medical staff from reaching their workplaces and weakening the health facilities' emergency response capabilities. The Ministry also reported ongoing shortages of medicines and medical supplies, malfunctioning diagnostic equipment, and blocked overseas treatment for patients on waiting lists. Al-Wahidi appealed to the international community, the UN Security Council, the World Health Organization, and OCHA for urgent action to deliver critical medical and operational supplies. Electric generators are the primary power source for Gaza's hospitals, which have faced complete power outages since the Israeli military operation began in October 2023. Mazen Al-Araishi, Director General of Engineering and Maintenance at the Ministry of Health, described the ministry's urgent appeal as a "final warning before disaster" and confirmed that international health bodies have been contacted without an immediate response. He noted that several hospital departments, including outpatient clinics and operating rooms, have ceased functioning because staff cannot reach their posts. Al-Araishi warned that the ongoing situation, which he described as resulting from "arbitrary Israeli measures," will lead to a "real health catastrophe" for Palestinian patients. The Ministry further accused Israel of failing to adhere to the ceasefire agreement of October 10, 2025, regarding the opening of crossings and the entry of agreed-upon aid and fuel.