Gaza’s deteriorating healthcare infrastructure is now facing a severe blood deficit, as widespread malnutrition, a consequence of Israel’s ongoing blockade, prevents Palestinians from donating. With medical facilities under fire and aid restricted, officials are warning that the crisis is escalating uncontrollably.
Hospitals throughout Gaza are raising alarms about a critical blood shortage as the humanitarian disaster deepens due to Israeli assaults and a hunger crisis. “We have witnessed people pleading to donate blood for their family members, only to be turned away,” said Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud from Gaza City. “They are too dehydrated and malnourished to give blood safely.”
Amani Abu Ouda, who leads al-Shifa Hospital’s blood bank, explained that malnutrition is compromising the safety of donations. “Many donors lose consciousness seconds after giving blood,” she stated. “It puts them in danger and renders a much-needed blood unit useless.”
With over 14,800 patients still requiring urgent specialized medical attention, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has implored the global community to accelerate medical evacuations.
Hunger Claims More Lives as Those Seeking Aid Are Killed
The number of deaths from starvation caused by Israel’s blockade continues to rise, with at least 193 Palestinians, including five in the last 24 hours, succumbing to hunger.
Tragically, 18 more people searching for food aid were killed on Wednesday after Israeli forces opened fire near UN and GHF (Gaza Humanitarian Front) food distribution sites. According to Palestinian health officials, more than 1,560 aid seekers have been killed since GHF began its operations in May.
Human rights experts and UN special rapporteurs have condemned the GHF, calling for its disbandment, citing the organization’s alleged manipulation of humanitarian aid for military and political goals.
Israel’s Airstrikes and Blockade Continue Unabated
Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of at least 44 Palestinians, including victims of an attack on the Sheikh Radwan Health Centre in Gaza City, which had previously sheltered displaced families.
A displaced resident, Ghaleb Tafesh, described the chaos: “There was no time to grab anything—no food, no clothes. We just fled.”
In the meantime, Israel’s blockade has been extended to include medical supplies and fuel, forcing numerous hospitals to shut down because of power outages. UN spokesperson Farhan Haq has warned that restrictions on fuel are paralyzing life-saving medical procedures.
Food Production Destroyed as Famine Looms
Gaza’s capacity for food production has been almost completely wiped out. A recent UN report revealed that only 8.6% of agricultural land remains accessible, and just 1.5% is left undamaged following mass evacuations and Israeli military operations.
With farming land destroyed and imports blocked, Gaza’s 2 million inhabitants are entirely reliant on foreign aid—most of which remains inaccessible.
Protests Erupt as Fears of Wider Military Offensive Grow
As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly prepares to announce an expanded military campaign, including a possible reoccupation of Gaza, concerns of further devastation are mounting.
Hamas has called for worldwide protests, urging demonstrators to put pressure on the US and Israel. “We call for escalating popular pressure… with marches, protests and demonstrations in front of Zionist and US embassies,” the group stated.
The UN has called reports of expanded operations “deeply alarming,” cautioning of massive civilian casualties if the offensive reaches more densely populated areas.
Desperate Plea for Peace
With over 61,158 Palestinians, including 18,430 children, killed since October 2023, the human cost of the war continues to climb. The latest deaths have intensified calls for a ceasefire—but mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas have failed.
“Where will we go?” asked Tamer al-Burai, displaced and now living in a makeshift shelter near Deir el-Balah. “Should people jump into the sea or perish under the rubble?”
As the world watches, the people of Gaza are left with few choices—caught between bombs, starvation, and a shattered healthcare system on the verge of total collapse.
