The Decimation of Gaza's Health Care System—Hospitals Destroyed and Lives Endangered

Abstract

Israel's escalation of genocidal violence and apartheid policies in Gaza, particularly after October 7, 2023, has intentionally targeted health care systems as part of a strategy to annihilate Palestinian life, which has significantly degraded the lives of Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip. This exploratory study aimed to analyze the health crisis faced by the Palestinian health system following the recent Israeli war on the Gaza Strip. The study involved thirty participants from diverse professions, including doctors, nurses, midwives, hospital administrators, paramedics, pharmacists, humanitarian workers, mothers, and other health care providers from the Gaza Strip. Thematic content analysis of the interview transcripts led to the identification of five main themes: (a) collapse of health care infrastructure; (b) loss of medical personnel and resources; (c) maternal and infant health; (d) the spread of preventable and contagious diseases; and (e) mental health challenges for health care providers and patients. Establishing political freedom, ensuring human rights, and dismantling structural inequities are essential to safeguarding health and survival in Gaza. The health crisis in Gaza is a direct result of Israel's genocidal policies, and addressing this crisis requires ensuring accountability, dismantling apartheid structures, and restoring Palestinian sovereignty.