Electricity Crisis Paralyses Gaza Hospitals, Delaying Surgeries and Endangering Lives
The worsening electricity crisis in the Gaza Strip has forced hospitals to operate under emergency conditions amidst the ongoing Israeli military offensive. Prolonged power outages are disrupting healthcare services, delaying medical operations, and threatening the safety of patients who rely on life-support equipment.
One of the victims is Omar Abu Atwa, a 30-year-old from central Gaza who was injured by an explosion while walking home from work last month. He was rushed to the Martyr Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir el-Balah for treatment. However, while waiting for an X-ray examination, the power suddenly cut out, rendering the X-ray machine and most medical equipment unusable. After waiting for about six hours without any certainty, Omar eventually went home without receiving a proper examination or adequate treatment.
‘I waited for hours inside the hospital hoping the electricity would come back on and the medical equipment would start working again. During that time, I was in pain and anxious because I did not know the nature of my injury or whether my condition required immediate medical intervention,’ Omar said, as quoted by Al Jazeera on Saturday (11/7/2026). He stated that many other patients, including children, the elderly, and those wounded in attacks, experienced similar conditions. They were forced to wait for hours just to get a basic examination because the hospital facilities could not function normally.
The damage to Gaza’s health sector has continued to worsen since the start of the Israeli offensive on 7 October 2023. Bombardment has destroyed or rendered inoperable at least 38 hospitals and 96 primary healthcare centres. Additionally, around 90 per cent of Gaza’s electricity network is reported to be damaged, leaving hospitals entirely dependent on power generators. However, the ongoing blockade has severely limited fuel supplies, while spare parts and engine oil are also difficult to obtain. As a result, the generators, which are the sole source of electricity, must work non-stop beyond their normal capacity, making them prone to breakdowns.
This situation unfolds as Israeli air strikes continue almost daily. Since the implementation of what was termed a ceasefire in October 2025, at least 1,092 people have been reported killed and 3,507 others injured. Most of the main generators at the Martyr Al-Aqsa Hospital reportedly stopped operating in early May 2026. The hospital now relies solely on backup generators and solar energy with very limited capacity, forcing a reduction in several medical services.
Surgeon Omar al-Ashtal said the unstable power supply severely disrupts medical services, particularly in the operating theatres. ‘What we are witnessing today is not just a shortage of electricity, but a cumulative crisis involving outdated generators, fuel shortages, and a lack of spare parts needed for maintenance,’ al-Ashtal said. ‘The continuation of this situation threatens the hospital’s ability to respond to emergencies and increases the suffering of patients waiting for medical care and assistance.’
The intensive care unit, operating rooms, anaesthesia rooms, and neonatal care units are the most affected. Power disruptions in these units can endanger patient safety, especially for infants dependent on incubators. The crisis has also spread to hospital administrative services, where power and internet disruptions hamper the recording of patient medical records, case monitoring, and inter-departmental coordination.
Nurse Hamza Nawas said medical staff continue to strive to provide the best service despite being under severe pressure. ‘We live under pressure every day because of the electricity crisis. At night, the situation becomes more difficult, especially when temperatures rise and several electrical services are disrupted again. We continue to try to provide care, but the current conditions make the work much harder,’ he said.
Meanwhile, Omar al-Ghariz, an energy systems engineer at the Martyr Al-Aqsa Hospital, revealed that the hospital’s generators have been running continuously for months with a load exceeding normal capacity. ‘This has caused significant wear and tear on various generator components and increased the frequency of technical breakdowns,’ he said. According to him, the shortage of fuel and spare parts forces the technical team to carry out only temporary repairs to keep the generators running. He warned that the failure of a single generator or the depletion of fuel supplies could halt vital services at the hospital. ‘Therefore, we urgently need new generators, spare parts, and technical support to ensure the continuity of the hospital’s operations,’ he said.