Gaza’s health system nears collapse as deadly respiratory virus spreads

A severe respiratory virus is claiming lives in Gaza amid a near-total collapse of medical services, a senior health official warns. With critical shortages of supplies and blocked aid, hospitals are unable to treat the outbreak or routine illnesses.

A dangerous respiratory virus is sweeping through the Gaza Strip, causing fatalities and accelerating the total collapse of the besieged enclave's healthcare infrastructure. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, the medical director of Gaza City's Al-Shifa Medical Complex, described the situation as an "unprecedented health catastrophe," with the health system deteriorating at a pace never before witnessed.

A deadly outbreak fueled by deprivation

The virus, believed to be a strain related to influenza or coronavirus, is spreading rapidly among all age groups. Abu Salmiya told Anadolu that severe malnutrition, prolonged psychological trauma, and the near absence of vaccination programs have created a perfect storm for the outbreak. Patients suffer intense symptoms lasting up to two weeks, including high fever, severe pain, and vomiting, with many developing fatal pneumonia. "These complications are proving deadly, especially for displaced families living in tents," he said, highlighting the vulnerability of a population with over 71,000 killed since the war began.

A healthcare system stripped to nothing

Over 100 days after a ceasefire agreement, Gaza's medical services are in their worst state since the start of the conflict. Abu Salmiya detailed catastrophic shortages: hospitals lack sterile gauze, antibiotics are critically scarce, and medications for cancer, kidney dialysis, and chronic diseases are completely unavailable. Furthermore, approximately 70% of medical laboratories are non-functional due to equipment shortages, crippling diagnostic capabilities. A parallel mental health emergency is growing, with destroyed facilities and no medications available for patients.

Accusations of systematic obstruction and a plea for help

The health director leveled serious accusations, stating that Israel is deliberately blocking the entry of medicines and essential medical equipment recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. "Life-saving medications... are being denied entry, while non-essential items such as soft drinks, snacks and mobile phones are allowed in," he stated, calling it a systematic policy. He urgently appealed to the international community to ensure the unrestricted flow of medical supplies to prevent a complete humanitarian collapse. For nations like Türkiye, which has consistently provided humanitarian aid and advocated for the Palestinian people, this preventable medical disaster underscores the moral imperative for immediate, unimpeded humanitarian access and robust international intervention to save innocent lives.