Hospitals in Gaza Face Critical Power Failures Amid Ongoing Conflict

Omar Abu Atwa, a 30‑year‑old driver, was walking home from work in central Gaza when an explosion struck the street. Bloodied and confused, he was rushed to Al‑Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el‑Balah, where doctors examined his hand. While awaiting an X‑ray, the power went out, rendering the hospital’s medical equipment inoperable, including the machine needed to inspect his wound. After a six‑hour wait, Omar left the ward tired and frustrated, without an X‑ray or proper treatment—another common ordeal for patients needing urgent care.

“I waited many hours inside the hospital hoping electricity would return so the medical devices could start working again,” he told Al Jazeera. “I saw children, elderly people and injured individuals waiting just as I was. Some needed medical tests, while others kept asking about when power would return so they could continue their treatment. The crisis affected everyone.”

Since Israel’s offensive began on October 7, 2023, Israeli bombing has destroyed or disabled 38 hospitals and 96 primary‑care centres across Gaza. The attacks have almost completely decimated the territory’s national grid, with roughly 90 % of power lines destroyed, forcing hospitals to rely on generators for electricity.

However, an ongoing blockade has resulted in severe fuel shortages, essential for generator operation. The use of non‑original engine oils due to the blockade has caused generators to malfunction or perform poorly, jeopardising critical life‑saving equipment such as ventilators, incubators and monitoring devices.

Even after a brief “ceasefire” in October 2025, Israeli air raids have persisted. At least 1,092 people have been killed and 3,507 injured since that period, leading to routine power cuts that leave hospitals semi‑dysfunctional and affect thousands of patients and medical staff.

Dr. Omar al‑Ashtal, a surgeon at the hospital, said medical teams are struggling to provide essential services due to erratic power supplies, especially in operating rooms where electricity is critical. “We are witnessing not only a shortage of electricity but a cumulative crisis that includes worn‑out generators, fuel shortages and a lack of spare parts for maintenance,” he told Al Jazeera. “The continuation of this situation threatens the hospital’s ability to respond to emergencies and increases the suffering of patients awaiting treatment.”

Intensive‑care units, operating rooms, anaesthesia departments and neonatal care are most affected. Any interruptions can lead to life‑threatening complications, including for infants in incubators. Outages also disrupt internet and electronic systems, preventing staff from accessing patient records, tracking cases and communicating between departments.

Nurse Hamza Nawas described the daily strain: “We are living under daily pressure because of the electricity crisis. At night, the difficulties increase, especially with rising temperatures and the disruption of some services related to power. We try as much as possible to continue providing care, but the current conditions make work more difficult and complex.”

Engineer Omar al‑Ghariz, an energy‑systems specialist at Al‑Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, said generators have been operating continuously for many months under loads that exceed their normal capacity. “This has led to significant wear on many generator components and a noticeable increase in technical malfunctions,” he explained. “Shortages of fuel and spare parts have forced maintenance staff to rely on temporary solutions that can only delay the inevitable, with the machines struggling under 24/7 operations.”

“The greatest risk lies in the fact that the hospital depends on a limited number of generators to operate its vital departments. Any sudden failure or fuel shortage could lead to the suspension of essential services,” he added. “Therefore, we urgently need new generators, spare parts and immediate technical support to ensure the continuity of hospital operations.”

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