Gaza: The Gaza Health Ministry Director-General Munir al-Bursh announced that the World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to stop supplying diesel to over 20 hospitals and health centers in the Gaza Strip. This decision comes amid a funding shortfall impacting the besieged coastal enclave.
According to Anadolu Agency, the WHO's suspension of diesel supplies, which began on September 19, is a result of financial constraints. There has been no immediate response from the WHO regarding this decision, although the organization has expressed concerns over declining funding for its activities in recent months. Al-Bursh emphasized that the limited fuel reaching the region is barely sufficient to sustain health facilities.
Al-Bursh further explained the ramifications of the fuel supply halt, indicating that it would lead to the shutdown of critical operations such as operating rooms, intensive care units, ventilators, and oxygen stations. This poses severe threats to vulnerable patients, including children in incubators and those requiring dialysis or dealing with chronic illnesses. The crisis extends to incapacitating ambulances and disrupting the cold chain needed for preserving medicines and vaccines.
The stop in diesel supplies is exacerbating an existing crisis, as power generators in several hospitals have ceased functioning due to a lack of oils and spare parts, according to a statement by the Health Ministry. These generators are crucial for maintaining electricity in vital hospital departments amid an ongoing power outage in Gaza.
The power outage and fuel shortages are attributed to the closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing by Israel since October 2023 and the control of the Rafah crossing by the Israeli army since May 2024. These crossings have been minimally opened to facilitate limited humanitarian aid and the passage of patients and returnees.
The Gaza government media office has accused Israel of not fulfilling its obligations under the ceasefire agreement effective since October 10, 2025, which includes permitting the entry of necessary aid and fuel. Since the onset of Israel's military actions on Gaza in October 2023, the region has seen over 73,000 Palestinian deaths, more than 174,000 injuries, and the destruction of around 90% of its infrastructure.