Healthcare system in Gaza Strip has ‘totally collapsed’

He said 65 medics have been killed and 25 ambulances have been destroyed in Israeli air raids since October 7.

“Twelve hospitals and 32 healthcare centers were forced out of service. We are afraid that many more will stop operations in the coming hours due to lack of fuel,” the spokesperson stated.

“Children, women and elders make up around 70 percent of the victims,” al-Qudra continued, adding that around 1,550 people are reported to be trapped under the rubble, including 870 children.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also announced that nearly two-thirds of Gaza’s health facilities have ceased functioning during a deadly increase in Israeli air strikes.

A total of 46 of 72 healthcare facilities – including 12 out of 35 hospitals – have stopped functioning across Gaza, it added.

Palestinian health officials said damage from air raids and the lack of electricity and fuel to power generators due to an Israeli blockade have forced many overcrowded hospitals to close.

The latest escalation between Hamas and Israel began early on October 7, when the Palestinian fighters launched a surprise attack on multiple locations along the Gaza border in response to Israel’s repeated aggression against Palestinians and desecration of the al-Aqsa Mosque.

Israeli officials estimate that more than 1,400 people have been killed in the Hamas assault and over 5,000 have been wounded.

Israeli massive air strikes on the densely-populated Gaza Strip, has so far killed almost 5,800 people and injured nearly 16,000 others.