Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Zimpapers Correspondent
The humanitarian and health situation in the Gaza Strip has deteriorated sharply, with hospitals overwhelmed by hundreds of patients daily and critical shortages of medical supplies threatening a total collapse of the health system, Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Dr Tamer Almassri has said.
In a statement, Ambassador Almassri said medical facilities in Gaza were receiving more than 500 patients each day, including about 200 suffering from severe acute respiratory illnesses amid a lack of diagnostic equipment needed to contain the spread of disease.
“The absence of essential medical equipment has led to a rapid spread of illnesses, further exacerbating the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza,” he said.
Ambassador Almassri attributed the worsening crisis to Israel’s continued total blockade on essential goods and services, which he said has crippled the Palestinian Ministry of Health’s ability to deliver basic medical care.
“The continued blockade, airstrikes and forced displacement of civilians constitute a grave violation of international law and human rights,” he said.
Nearly 1,9 million people in the Gaza Strip, he said, are currently displaced and living without adequate shelter as a result of the ongoing war, according to Palestinian authorities.
Despite a ceasefire agreement that came into effect on October 11, 2025, Israeli warplanes have continued to carry out airstrikes on central and southern Gaza, leading to further casualties.
Ambassador Almassri said the death toll from the Israeli offensive has risen to 71 550 Palestinians, with 171 365 wounded since the conflict began on October 7, 2023.
Since the ceasefire took effect, at least 465 people have been killed and 1 287 injured, while 713 bodies have been recovered from under the rubble.
“The continuation of military attacks even after the ceasefire has resulted in more deaths and injuries, placing immense strain on an already collapsing health system,” Ambassador Almassri said.
He called on the international community to take urgent action to address the crisis, including lifting the blockade and facilitating the immediate delivery of humanitarian and medical assistance to Gaza.
