Gaza Hospital Halts Most Services Amid Fuel Shortage
Kuwait Specialized Field Hospital in the Gaza Strip announced on Thursday that it will suspend most of its health services starting Sunday, limiting operations to only the most critical emergencies due to a halt in fuel supplies. The hospital administration stated in a release that the decision followed an official notification from the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the cessation of fuel provision.
Services to be discontinued include surgeries, deliveries, outpatient clinics, therapeutic procedures, radiology, laboratory work, and patient transport. Specialized centers for dentistry, diabetic foot care, and advanced wound care will also cease operations. The hospital will only maintain its emergency departments for general and obstetric emergencies, prioritizing extremely critical cases.
The hospital warned that this reduction in services will deny thousands of Palestinians daily access to essential medical treatment and care. The statement highlighted that the crisis is exacerbated by shortages of medicines, medical supplies, oils, spare parts, and tires, in addition to fuel, which threatens the functionality of generators, ambulances, and medical transport vehicles.
The hospital administration appealed to the international community and health organizations, particularly the WHO and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), to intervene and prevent further deterioration of the healthcare system in Gaza. Earlier, the Director-General of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Munir Al-Bursh, stated on Monday that the WHO decided to stop diesel supplies to over 20 hospitals and health centers in the strip starting September 19 due to funding shortfalls.
The fuel crisis coincides with a lack of oils and spare parts needed for hospital generators. The Ministry of Health announced on Sunday that several generators had stopped working in recent days due to a lack of operational necessities. Generators are the primary source of electricity for Gaza's hospitals, powering vital departments and medical equipment amid the ongoing power outages since October 2023.
Government authorities in Gaza indicated that fuel and spare parts shortages are hindering generator operation and maintenance. This is compounded by Israel's closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing since October 2023 and its military control of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt since May 2024, restricting the entry of necessary supplies into the strip. The Government Media Office in Gaza has repeatedly asserted that Israel is failing to meet its obligations under the ceasefire agreement, effective October 10, 2025, regarding the entry of agreed-upon aid and fuel for vital sectors.
