Ongoing medical blockade in Gaza; health officials warn of humanitarian disaster

Pars Today – The Director-General of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip stated that the Israeli regime continues to prevent the entry of medicines and medical equipment into the region. By applying a “drip-feed policy” in sending humanitarian aid, the lives of thousands of patients are being put at risk.

Munir Al-Barsh, Director-General of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, told Al Jazeera that the Israeli occupation regime, by preventing the entry of vital medicines—including emergency drugs and children’s nutritional supplements—is effectively blocking proper medical aid for patients.

According to Pars Today, citing IRNA, Al-Barsh added that more than 350,000 patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension cannot access the medicines they need, and the crossings for transferring patients out of Gaza remain closed.

Mohammed Abu Salmiyeh, head of the Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza, previously stated that the shortage of medicines has increased mortality among premature infants by up to 35 percent. Abu Salmiyeh added that the occupiers have blocked trucks carrying medicine, effectively paralyzing medical services.

He also reported that more than 5,000 cases of amputations have been recorded in Gaza, including 2,000 children, who are facing severe pain and psychological trauma due to the lack of prosthetic limbs.

Abu Salmiyeh also reported an increase in congenital defects among Palestinian newborns due to the Israeli regime’s use of internationally banned weapons and the effects of malnutrition. These statements come as, despite an official ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on October 9, 2025, Tel Aviv continues to violate the peace agreement by blocking humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of Gaza’s infrastructure.