Gaza medical system nears collapse after Israeli drug warehouse strike

Israeli strike targets medical supplies

Gaza's Health Ministry warned on Saturday that the enclave's medical system is rapidly approaching collapse after Israeli forces destroyed a drug warehouse at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. The strike demolished two storage facilities containing essential medicines and severely damaged two others, according to ministry statements.

Munir Al-Bursh, director general of the Health Ministry, told Anadolu that Israeli attacks have expanded beyond patients and medical staff to target medicine warehouses directly. "The Israeli occupation targeted the drug warehouse of the kidney department behind the outpatient building at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital after prior notification, completely destroying it," he said.

Healthcare system on brink

Al-Bursh noted that the attack came as Gaza's health sector was already facing a 51% shortage of essential medicines and a 59% shortage of medical consumables, while 22.5% of laboratory equipment is out of service due to lack of spare parts. He described the destruction as "a direct blow to what remains of the lifeline inside hospitals," warning that the loss would accelerate the collapse of the healthcare system and deprive thousands of patients of basic treatment.

"The war here is not only targeting buildings, but also medicine, treatment and people's chance to stay alive," Al-Bursh said. According to Palestinian health authorities, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 174,000 injured since October 2023, while Israel has failed to fulfill obligations under the ceasefire agreement that took effect on Oct. 10, 2025, including reopening crossings for humanitarian aid.