Fewer than half of Gaza’s hospitals and less than 38 percent of primary health centers work partially – or do so at minimal levels – said Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative of the West Bank and Gaza.
Bed covering in larger facilities exceeds boundaries with large margins-shifa hospital is at 250 percent capacity, nasser of 180 percent, al-rantisi of 210 percent and al-ahli of over 300 percent.
Critical supplies that run out
“The critical lack of medicine and consumables continues and has only worsened with 52 percent of medicine and 68 percent of consumables at zero stock”Telled Dr. Peeperkorn journalists in Geneva and spoke from Jerusalem.
“Hospitals are especially overwhelmed by damage from food distribution areas, which also operate sustained lack of blood and plasma,“He added and noted that at least 1,655 people have been killed in these areas and more than 11,800 injured since May 27.
The crisis has been exacerbated by shear orders in Gaza City, which now places who is its own stock in an evacuation zone. Hospitals, primary care centers and ambulance facilities are also located inside or near these areas, which threatens additional disturbances to services.
Malnutrition worsening
Hunger and malnutrition deteriorate quickly.
Since the beginning of 2025, 148 people have died of malnutrition, including 49 children – 39 of them under five years old. Nearly 12,000 children under the age of five were diagnosed with acute malnutrition in July, the highest monthly figure to date, with more than 2,500 who suffered from the most serious form.
New threat from meningitis
Disease outbreaks add the pressure.
Suspected meningitis cases reached 452 between July and early August – the highest number since the escalation began. Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare disorder after infection, has also increased by 76 suspected cases since June.
Both conditions are more difficult to treat due to “zero populations” of vital drugs, including intravenous immunoglobulin and anti -inflammatories, Dr. Peeperkorn.
Access to challenges
Access for international medical teams and supplies is still a major obstacle.
Dr. Peeperkorn said international drugs face input postings, while key articles such as ICU equipment, anesthetic machines and cold chain supplies continue to be withheld.
Although who managed to bring in 80 trucks with medical supplies since June, he emphasized that procedures are slow and unpredictable, with many shipments delayed or denied.
“We need more crossings for gaza opened, procedures simplified and access backs raised,“He said.” We hear about more humanitarian supplies that are allowed in – but it doesn’t happen or it happens too slowly. “
