In Gaza, the war is not limited to bombing and destruction; it extends to a silent war of attrition targeting the very foundations of life. Spare parts, oil, and tires have become tools of siege no less deadly than shells and missiles, as they cripple the ability of hospitals and ambulances to fulfill their humanitarian mission.
The targeting of the health sector in Gaza is no longer confined to bombing hospitals or targeting medical personnel; it has extended to paralyzing the very ability to move. The Ministry of Health in Gaza warns of an escalating humanitarian catastrophe resulting from the strict ban on the entry of oil, spare parts, tires, and everything related to the maintenance of vehicles, generators, and medical equipment. These materials may appear “civilian” at first glance, but in reality, they represent the lifeline that connects patients to hospitals and the wounded to a chance of survival.
The figures reveal the scale of this manufactured crisis, exacerbated by the policies of the Israeli occupation. According to the Ministry of Health, 39 out of 82 ambulances are completely out of service, representing approximately 48% of the already strained fleet after three years of continuous operation amidst airstrikes and shelling. Around 70% of the remaining ambulances are at risk of being taken out of service if the ban on importing necessary medical supplies continues.
Meanwhile, ambulance crews oversee approximately 5,000 patient and medical personnel transports weekly. The ambulances require only 250 liters of oil per month to maintain minimum operational capacity—a small amount compared to the potential loss of life that could result from its absence.
This situation is further exacerbated by the dire state of healthcare in Gaza. Hospitals are operating under exceptional circumstances, suffering from severe shortages of medicine, medical supplies, and fuel, while simultaneously receiving large numbers of wounded and sick individuals daily due to the ongoing airstrikes and shelling. In such circumstances, a delay of even a few minutes for an ambulance could mean a patient or injured person losing their chance of survival, especially since many cases require urgent intervention and intensive care.
