Oxygen Crisis in Gaza: Destruction of 22 Stations Puts Thousands of Patients at Risk of Death

Medical staff in the Gaza Strip are facing critical challenges with the worsening crisis of medical oxygen supply shortages, a result of the systematic targeting of health infrastructure. Sources reported that the destruction of most production stations and the prevention of essential spare parts from reaching them now threaten the lives of hundreds of injured and sick patients, especially those in intensive care units and neonatal incubators.

Field reports have documented the extent of the deterioration in the central station in the northern part of the Strip, which was painstakingly restored through local efforts by assembling parts from other destroyed stations. This manual attempt is the last resort to maintain the minimum oxygen flow necessary to save lives, amidst the ongoing war that has devastated most medical resources.

Statistics from the Palestinian Ministry of Health paint a grim picture: the sector relied on 34 oxygen stations before the aggression, 22 of which were completely destroyed by the occupation forces. Only 12 stations remain operational, all suffering from immense consumption pressure and frequent technical malfunctions that threaten to put them out of service at any moment.

The crisis at Al-Shifa Medical Complex stands out as one of the most dangerous indicators of this deterioration, with the central station within the complex facing the risk of complete shutdown. The suffering is compounded by continued strict Israeli restrictions at the crossings, which prevent technicians or necessary equipment from reaching for essential routine maintenance.

Engineer Mazen Al-Araisha, Director of the Maintenance Department at the Ministry of Health, confirmed that the occupation deliberately targeted the lifeline of the health system by striking oxygen stations. He explained that preventing the entry of routine spare parts for many months represents a death sentence for cancer and respiratory patients who cannot survive without continuous respiratory support.

Al-Araisha warned that the shutdown of even one station could lead to the death of approximately 150 patients who rely on home cylinder refills to stay alive. He described the current situation as a path towards 'certain death,' as available alternatives for residents and medical teams to provide this vital element have vanished under the complete siege.

In the context of diplomatic efforts, the Ministry revealed the existence of a stock of spare parts and equipment in the West Bank that had been previously funded by international bodies. Despite the readiness to transport this equipment, Israeli intransigence continues to prevent the necessary permits for its passage to Gaza, hindering all urgent rescue attempts.

Health authorities appealed to the World Health Organization and the international community to intervene immediately and pressure the occupation authorities to allow the entry of new oxygen stations. Sources indicated that international procurement efforts have repeatedly failed due to Israeli refusal, placing the dilapidated health system on the brink of a comprehensive collapse that could claim thousands of lives.

The interruption of oxygen supplies to patients means certain death in the absence of alternatives and the restrictions imposed at the crossings.