Over half of Gaza's medical stocks are at zero amid healthcare crisis caused by Israeli offensive

The Ministry of Health in war-battered Gaza warned on Sunday that 52 percent of essential medicines are completely out of stock, amid the enclave’s healthcare crisis, which is risking patients' lives.

The statement was made to address the repercussions of Israel’s violations of the ceasefire in Gaza, which have exacerbated the already-dire healthcare situation.

The ministry added that 71 percent of the full medical supplies list and 70 percent of laboratory supplies are also unavailable to treat Gaza’s population.

"The zero stocks of medicines and medical supplies continue to exceed catastrophic levels," the ministry said, stressing that "the crisis is escalating as the need for medical treatment for the wounded and sick also increases".

The ministry also said that primary and intensive care, surgery, operations, cancer and hematology treatment are among the services suffering from the shortage.

The statement added that the orthopedics, nephrology, dialysis, ophthalmology, general surgery, operations, and intensive care departments are further facing "catastrophic challenges" due to the lack of medical supplies.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza called for "the urgent provision of medical supplies to enable medical teams to work in specialised departments," in adherence with the ceasefire’s stipulations.

Israel has been limiting the entry of humanitarian relief into the enclave, including medicine and healthcare supplies, despite the truce’s obligations.

Scores of patients have died across Gaza’s hospitals since October, due to the lack of medication and essential equipment.

Deaths have been reported at Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital and the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis.

Last week, the Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) NGO issued a stark warning concerning the lack of medical essentials in Gaza, following testimonies from leading doctors and staff.

Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip, launched in October 2023, plunged Gaza’s healthcare system into crisis, bombing and besieging hospitals, as well as detaining medical staff.

The war and siege of the coastal enclave’s healthcare facilities caused the deaths of at least 1,0000 of Palestinian patients awaiting treatment.

More than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel’s two-year-long war on Gaza, in acts labelled as genocide.