Gaza Hospitals Overwhelmed as Occupancy Hits 300%

Gaza’s health system is facing unprecedented pressure, with hospital occupancy rates surging to catastrophic levels, reaching up to 300 percent in some facilities.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health described the situation as hospitals drowning in a sea of injuries, far exceeding their capacity to treat patients.

In a recent statement, the ministry reported that bed occupancy at Al-Shifa Hospital reached 240 percent, while Rantisi Hospital stood at 210 percent.

Nasser Hospital was at 180 percent, and Al-Ahli Arab Hospital reached full saturation at 300 percent. Due to this overflow, hospitals have resorted to placing patients in hallways and on floors.

The Ministry of Health renewed its urgent appeal to the international community and humanitarian organizations to deliver immediate and effective support to Gaza’s collapsing health sector.

Meanwhile, the death toll from what the ministry labelled Israel’s starvation policy has risen to 175 Palestinians, including 93 children, since the beginning of the war on October 7, 2023.

Over the past 24 hours alone, six adults died due to starvation and malnutrition, according to the ministry’s latest figures.

The World Food Program estimates that one in four Palestinians in Gaza are facing famine-like conditions. About 100,000 women and children are suffering from acute malnutrition, as food and medical aid remain critically scarce.

Adding to the devastation, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society condemned an Israeli airstrike that targeted its administrative headquarters in Al-Amal City, Khan Younis. The strike resulted in the death of one staff member and injuries to several others, as well as severe structural damage.

According to a statement from the Red Crescent, the attack began after midnight, striking the upper floors of the building. A second strike occurred during damage assessment, followed by a third during firefighting efforts.

The statement confirmed that the deceased staff member’s body was recovered in two stages, during the early morning hours. Three others were injured, including two Red Crescent employees and one nearby resident who sustained serious wounds.