Gaza oxygen stations collapse amid Israeli blockade: Ministry

The Palestinian Health Ministry issued an urgent warning on Saturday that 22 of the Gaza Strip's 34 oxygen stations have been forced to cease operations, with the remaining 12 facilities operating under "extremely complex technical and mechanical conditions." The ministry cautioned that these stations are running beyond maximum capacity and face increasingly frequent breakdowns, making it difficult to meet the oxygen demands of hospitals and medical service providers across the besieged enclave.

Critical shortages and imminent shutdown

According to the ministry, only four of the 30 devices used to fill oxygen cylinders remain functional, and engineering teams are unable to perform emergency maintenance. "They could stop at any moment," the ministry warned, emphasizing that "the availability of oxygen is not a medical luxury; it is a lifeline for many vital and life-saving departments." The remaining stations face what the ministry described as "complete paralysis," threatening oxygen supplies to hospitals and patients receiving treatment at home.

Call for urgent intervention

The ministry called for the "immediate and direct opening of channels" to facilitate the entry of spare parts and technical equipment needed to repair the stations, as well as the urgent delivery of new oxygen stations. The warning follows a statement from Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Aug. 12, which noted that Israeli authorities continue to restrict the entry of engine oils and spare parts essential for hospital generators, ambulances, and other critical facilities.

Humanitarian access and health crisis

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported on Friday that the Kerem Shalom crossing remains the sole operational entry point for goods into Gaza, with restrictions still in place on several essential supplies. The latest World Health Organization data, published on Aug. 11, revealed major gaps in the availability of health resources and services across Gaza's medical facilities. A ceasefire has been in place since Oct. 10, 2025, following an Israeli military campaign that caused widespread destruction to the enclave's health system and infrastructure.