RAMALLAH, August 1, 2026 (WAFA) — The Palestinian Ministry of Health said on Saturday that the healthcare system in the State of Palestine is facing the most critical period in its history, citing the ongoing Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, escalating attacks by Israeli forces and colonists in the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem, and a severe financial crisis affecting the Palestinian government.
In a statement, the ministry said Gaza's health system continues to operate under extremely harsh humanitarian and medical conditions amid repeated attacks on hospitals and health centers, acute shortages of medicines, medical supplies and fuel, and mounting pressure on healthcare facilities to continue providing lifesaving services.
The ministry renewed its urgent appeal to the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the International Committee of the Red Cross, humanitarian organizations, influential states, and human rights groups to fulfill their legal and humanitarian responsibilities by pressing Israel to allow the regular entry of medicines, medical supplies, fuel and humanitarian aid into Gaza.
It also called for the establishment of safe humanitarian corridors to ensure the unhindered movement of medical supplies, patients and the wounded, and for the protection of healthcare facilities and medical personnel in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Health Minister Majed Abu Ramadan said protecting the Palestinian healthcare system is not only a Palestinian issue but also a legal and moral responsibility of the international community. He said denying patients access to treatment, preventing the delivery of medical supplies, and targeting healthcare facilities and personnel constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law that require concrete international action.
The ministry praised medical, healthcare and administrative staff in Gaza for what it described as exceptional resilience and dedication despite losing family members, being displaced, coming under attack, and enduring the destruction of their homes and severe shortages of basic necessities.
Abu Ramadan said healthcare workers in Gaza have demonstrated that the humanitarian mission of doctors, nurses, paramedics and other health professionals transcends the hardships imposed by war, adding that their sacrifices are deeply appreciated by the ministry and the Palestinian people.
The ministry also expressed its support for Palestinian healthcare professionals who were forced to leave Gaza for their safety or to continue their education and careers, saying they remain an integral part of the Palestinian healthcare system and that their departure was the result of extraordinary circumstances created by the war.
It added that medical personnel in the occupied West Bank, including Jerusalem, continue to provide healthcare services despite escalating Israeli military raids, restrictions on ambulance movement, and the financial challenges facing the Palestinian health sector.
The ministry said it remains committed to maintaining healthcare services, managing available resources efficiently, strengthening the resilience of the healthcare system, and coordinating with the Palestinian government, international partners and local communities to mobilize political, financial and humanitarian support to sustain healthcare services and ease the impact of the ongoing crisis.
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