Power outages leave Gaza hospitals without electricity amid Israeli attacks

Gaza’s health sector is grappling with a severe energy shortage as power supplies have been repeatedly disrupted by Israeli airstrikes that have damaged electricity infrastructure and limited fuel deliveries. Hospitals, many of which rely on diesel generators to maintain critical services, are facing intermittent outages that compromise the operation of ventilators, operating rooms and refrigeration units for medicines and vaccines. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency and the World Health Organization have warned that the dwindling fuel stockpiles could force facilities to curtail surgeries and limit intensive‑care capacity, leaving patients with trauma, chronic illnesses and COVID‑19 at heightened risk.

The ongoing conflict has further strained the crisis, with damaged power lines and targeted attacks on utility sites reducing the grid’s ability to restore electricity. Health officials report that some hospitals are operating on a fraction of their normal power, forcing staff to prioritize emergency cases and postpone routine treatments. International aid groups are urging the parties to protect medical infrastructure and facilitate the safe passage of fuel, emphasizing that sustained energy is essential to prevent a collapse of Gaza’s already fragile health system.