Salfit Medical Crisis Deepens as Israeli Forces Keep Northern Entrance Closed

Israeli forces maintained a closure of the main northern entrance to the occupied West Bank city of Salfit for a second consecutive day on Wednesday, restricting residents’ movement and preventing thousands of patients from accessing essential healthcare services.

The entrance remained closed with an iron gate, obstructing travel between Salfit and surrounding Palestinian villages and towns.

Local residents said the restrictions have prevented people from reaching medical facilities, government institutions and other essential services inside the city.

Dr. Haitham Mansour, director-general of the Salfit Health Directorate, warned that the repeated closure has deprived thousands of patients of healthcare services and disrupted the operations of medical facilities across the governorate.

Mansour said the restrictions have prevented healthcare workers from reaching 13 clinics and emergency centers administered by the directorate.

The closure has also obstructed the delivery of medicines, medical supplies and childhood vaccines to healthcare facilities, while disrupting the activities of mobile medical teams and environmental health inspection units.

He added that patients are facing increasing difficulties reaching the Salfit Health Directorate and Salfit Governmental Hospital, the only public hospital in the governorate.

The movement restrictions have further complicated access to necessary medical treatment, particularly for patients traveling from surrounding communities.

Mansour stressed that the continued closure is affecting multiple aspects of daily life in Salfit and neighboring areas, with particularly serious consequences for the healthcare sector.

He warned that maintaining essential medical services requires the uninterrupted movement of patients and healthcare personnel, as well as reliable deliveries of medicines, vaccines and other medical supplies.

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