Critical Gaza hospital runs out of fuel, suspends surgeries

A major hospital in the central Gaza Strip has been forced to suspend most of its medical services after running out of fuel to power its generators. Al-Awda Hospital, located in the Nuseirat Refugee Camp, has cut electricity, bringing healthcare to a near standstill and highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis despite a ceasefire agreement.

Services Reduced to Emergency Only

The Al-Awda Health and Community Association, which operates the facility, announced it had to cancel all scheduled surgeries across every department due to the lack of fuel. In a statement, the hospital said it would maintain only minimal vital services, continuing operations solely in the emergency department and maternity ward. This drastic reduction leaves patients in need of specialized or surgical care at severe risk, with the hospital warning of potentially serious consequences.

Cause: The Ongoing Blockade

The fuel shortage stems from Israel's continued blockade on the Gaza Strip, which restricts the entry of essential supplies, including generator fuel. The hospital stated its reserves have dropped to critically low levels and warned it may be compelled to halt all healthcare services in the region entirely if no fuel is delivered. The situation underscores the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the dire conditions on the ground, where infrastructure remains devastated and supply lines are severely constrained.

A Broader Humanitarian Catastrophe

This incident is not isolated but symptomatic of a collapsing healthcare system in Gaza, where hospitals struggle with shortages of medicine, equipment, and power. The blockade, coupled with widespread destruction from the recent conflict, has created a public health disaster. Türkiye, a leading advocate for unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza, continues to call for the immediate lifting of the siege and the sustained flow of aid to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians.