Gaza Health System Collapses Amid Starvation, Medical Shortages

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, with health care facilities overwhelmed and medical staff struggling with severe malnutrition and hunger. Hospitals like the MSF-supported Al Zawaida Field Hospital are operating beyond capacity, lacking critical supplies such as external fixators, blood, and antibiotics, severely limiting their ability to treat trauma cases. Medical workers, including doctors and nurses, are suffering from extreme hunger, often eating only once every two days, which has led to multiple cases of fainting during shifts and even surgeries. This dire situation compromises healthcare delivery, as malnutrition among patients—including children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers—hinders recovery and increases vulnerability to infections. Personal accounts, such as that of 78-year-old Umm Ihab, illustrate the devastating impact of war, hunger, and lack of medicine on individuals with chronic illnesses who cannot safely take essential medications without food. Despite Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu denying widespread starvation, humanitarian groups like Doctors Without Borders strongly dispute these claims and warn of a deliberate starvation campaign exacerbating an already dire situation.