Gaza healthcare in catastrophic collapse a year into ceasefire, MAP warns

Hospitals across war-torn Gaza continue to struggle with shortages of medicines, fuel and other essential supplies as Israeli attacks on healthcare facilities and restrictions on aid persist, a year after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect, according to Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP).

In its latest report, released on Thursday, the organisation warned that Gaza's healthcare system remains in a catastrophic state of collapse, with just 35 of the territory's 57 hospitals and field hospitals partially functional and none fully operational.

"A year ago, Palestinians were told that the killing would stop and they would have a chance to rebuild their lives. Instead, they have spent the past year living with continued death, displacement and destruction," Fikr Shalltoot, MAP's Gaza director, said in a statement.

"Palestinians should not have to spend another year simply striving to stay alive as this genocide continues with impunity. Only when the killing stops, hospitals can function, families have enough food and clean water, and Palestinians can return home and begin rebuilding their lives can we call this a ceasefire."

MAP reported that one of its supported medical points in Abu Madeen, between Al-Bureij and Al-Maghazi in central Gaza's Deir al-Balah, was evacuated after Israeli gunfire seriously injured a woman and a child nearby.

A stray bullet also reportedly struck a water tank while around 40 patients were inside the facility.

The organisation has also suspended a project supporting patients recovering from brain and nerve injuries and related conditions at European Gaza Hospital, near Khan Younis in southern Gaza, after the facility became inaccessible and was taken out of service.

The project has since been transferred to Nasser Hospital, considered the last major functioning hospital in southern Gaza.

MAP warned that the transfer "adds to the immense pressure on a hospital already struggling to meet the needs of patients across southern Gaza".

Israel's 'Yellow Line' restricts access to healthcare

The organisation also warned that the so-called "Yellow Line", established in October 2025 following the implementation of the ceasefire, is severely disrupting access to essential services.

The line marks the boundary of an area of eastern Gaza under Israeli military control. Rights groups have warned that Israeli forces are expanding their control westwards, taking over more territory and effectively confining Palestinian families to around 30% of the Gaza Strip.

MAP cited the killing of a 65-year-old patient who was seeking treatment at one of its supported medical points in Jabalia, northern Gaza, after an Israeli military quadcopter opened fire on the facility, which is located close to the Yellow Line.

Medical staff have warned that the site has repeatedly come under fire, according to the organisation.

Kamal Adwan Hospital, a critical healthcare facility serving northern Gaza's Beit Lahia, has also faced repeated Israeli military raids, damage and evacuation pressures, MAP said.

The organisation reported that its neonatal project at the hospital had been suspended, with the facility now just 150 metres from the Yellow Line.

MAP said access to the hospital requires coordination and warned that its condition remains critical, despite having resumed services only in March.

The hospital was forced to suspend operations again in September after Israeli forces advanced towards the facility and heavy gunfire was reported nearby.

Gaza's healthcare system faces deepening crisis

MAP's latest warnings come amid continued calls from human rights groups for investigations into attacks on healthcare facilities and other alleged violations of international law, as Israel's war on Gaza approaches its third anniversary on 7 October.

Last month, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) warned that the destruction of Gaza's healthcare infrastructure, alongside shortages of medicines, medical supplies, fuel and healthcare workers, had reached increasingly dire levels.

The agency said the crisis had "fundamentally eroded both the availability of healthcare services and people's ability to access them".

"Widespread forced displacement, coupled with the destruction of more than 83 per cent of the Gaza Strip's buildings and infrastructure, has created profound challenges in ensuring healthcare services are available and accessible where they are most needed," UNRWA said in its August report.

"These challenges have been further exacerbated by the establishment and continued expansion of the so-called 'Yellow Line', which has rendered increasing areas of the Gaza Strip inaccessible."

UN experts have previously condemned the targeted destruction of Gaza's healthcare system by Israeli forces, warning that the attacks amount to "medicide".