Collapse of health and humanitarian systems in Palestine, because Israel. El sistema sanitario-humanitario colapsa en Palestina, dañado por Israel. ENG ESP

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WHO warns of collapse of health and humanitarian systems in Palestinian territories

May 22, 2026 

The World Health Organization warned on Thursday May 21 of the worsening collapse of the health and humanitarian sectors in the Palestinian territories, describing conditions in Gaza Strip, the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem as a “severe tragedy.”

In a statement issued by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Regional Director Hanan Balkhy said that since October 2023 more than 72,000 people had been killed and around 182,000 injured, with nearly 26,000 additional deaths reported during 2025 alone.

Balkhy said that despite the ceasefire announced in October 2025, civilians continue to be killed, humanitarian access remains restricted and health services remain severely disrupted.

According to the WHO, no hospital in Gaza is currently fully operational, while northern Gaza no longer has any functioning hospitals.

The organisation added that more than half of essential medicines are out of stock and thousands of patients still require urgent medical evacuation.

The WHO also warned of the continued spread of infectious diseases due to overcrowding and deteriorating sanitary conditions, alongside growing mental health needs and increasing risks facing mothers and newborns.

Regarding the occupied West Bank, Balkhy said the situation continues to deteriorate because of escalating violence and movement restrictions.

She added that the financial crisis facing the Palestinian Authority has severely limited healthcare provision, with public hospitals largely reduced to emergency-only services.

The WHO stated that it had appealed for $648 million to finance its 2025 health response operations but has so far received only about 75 percent of the requested funding.

Despite operational difficulties, the organisation said it had helped deliver more than 4,000 metric tonnes of emergency medical supplies into Gaza and facilitated fuel deliveries needed to keep health facilities operating, while also expanding emergency and trauma care support in the West Bank.

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