RAMALLAH, June 9, 2026 (WAFA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates on Tuesday briefed members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the State of Palestine on the deteriorating health situation in the occupied Palestinian Territory and the mounting challenges facing the Palestinian healthcare sector amid ongoing Israeli aggression and measures targeting Palestinian institutions.

The briefing was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Varsen Shahin and Minister of Health Majed Abu Ramadan.

Minister Shahin stressed that the challenges facing the Palestinian healthcare sector cannot be separated from the broader targeting of Palestinian institutions and the foundations of resilience. She noted that the destruction of the healthcare system in the Gaza Strip, along with financial restrictions and Israeli measures in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is aimed at undermining the ability of Palestinian institutions to deliver essential services to citizens.

She added that Palestinians are facing growing insecurity and instability as a result of military incursions, colonists’ violence, closures, and checkpoints. She noted that these conditions directly hinder Palestinian citizens’ access to healthcare services and further exacerbate psychological and social pressures, particularly among children and youth.

For his part, Health Minister Majed Abu Ramadan outlined the unprecedented health and financial challenges facing the Palestinian healthcare sector, noting that Israel’s continued withholding of clearance revenues has triggered a severe financial crisis that threatens the sustainability of health services.

He said the Ministry of Health's accumulated debt has reached approximately $1.365 billion, while hospitals and healthcare centers continue to face critical shortages of medicines and medical supplies.

The minister pointed out that around 47 per cent of essential medicines in the Gaza Strip have reached zero-stock levels. At the same time, the number of attacks and violations targeting the healthcare sector across the occupied Palestinian Territory has exceeded 1,955 since October 2023.

He further noted that thousands of patients, including cancer and chronic disease patients, are facing increasing risks due to disruptions in treatment and shortages of medicines and medical equipment.

The two ministers called on the international community to take urgent action to protect the Palestinian healthcare sector, ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian and medical supplies, secure the release of withheld clearance revenues, and provide the necessary support to Palestinian health institutions to safeguard the Palestinian people’s right to health and life in accordance with international law.

T.R.