The director of Medical Relief in the Gaza Strip, Bassam Zaqout, warned on Monday of an imminent and dangerous collapse threatening what remains of the health system due to the severe Israeli restrictions that have prevented the entry of vital equipment and laboratory materials, causing a complete lack of diagnostic capabilities.

Zaqout explained in press statements that medical teams are now unable to test for the causes of widespread epidemics such as hepatitis and diarrhea, and are limited to treating only the symptoms. He noted that 70% of patients and those visiting medical facilities do not receive comprehensive care, according to the Palestinian news agency Sanad.

The relief director presented shocking figures illustrating the extent of the shortages, revealing that the Ministry of Health lacks 50% of essential medicines, 75% of diagnostic tests, and up to 95% of the supplies needed for life-saving cardiac catheterization procedures.

He noted that UNRWA has closed all its laboratories in the Gaza Strip due to a shortage of reagents, adding that the fuel crisis for generators has forced health and non-governmental organizations to drastically reduce their services.

Zaqout emphasized that the suffering is particularly acute for cancer patients and thousands of wounded and injured individuals, some of whom have been waiting for a year and a half to travel for the removal of shrapnel and treatment for chronic bone infections, facing the threat of amputation.

Medical relief organizations in the Gaza Strip had previously stated that the health situation in the Strip had reached its "worst" level since the beginning of the war, due to the ongoing obstruction of the entry of medical aid and essential supplies. The aid organization noted that the shortage of resources is worsening daily as the meager supplies of medical solutions and medications dwindle, leaving thousands of wounded and sick people with agonizing choices: either wait for death or seek treatment abroad.

The health system in Gaza is suffering from a complete lack of medical resources and capabilities as a result of the two-year Israeli aggression and war of extermination, coupled with the prevention of any aid or medical supplies from entering the Strip.

The enemy forces destroyed 103 primary healthcare centers (out of 157), while 54 centers are only partially operational. The direct targeting of health facilities resulted in the destruction of electrical and electromechanical systems, as well as 25 oxygen generation plants (out of 35) and 61 generators (out of 110).