The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza Strip issued a final warning on Sunday morning regarding a “total paralysis” threatening the ambulance and medical transport sector.
The ministry attributed the crisis to the ongoing Israeli occupation blockade, direct targeting, and a ban on the entry of essential automotive supplies, including tires, batteries, spare parts, and motor oils, which has forced 70% of the ministry’s vehicle fleet out of service.
In an official press statement, the ministry disclosed that the shortages have rendered 39 out of its 82 ambulances completely inoperable, while an additional 17 require urgent maintenance. This situation threatens to halt a comprehensive logistics network managed by technical teams, which facilitates 20,000 patient and staff transfers per month, as well as 140 weekly truck movements for pharmaceutical distribution.
The ministry further noted that 100 service vehicles are currently out of commission—30 of which are damaged beyond repair—while 80 others await emergency maintenance. Furthermore, the remaining operational vehicles face a monthly deficit of 250 liters of motor oil, a shortage that has also impacted private transport companies contracted by the ministry.
Warning of catastrophic humanitarian consequences should patients and medical personnel be unable to reach hospitals, the ministry emphasized that blocking the entry of spare parts effectively amounts to a direct decision to shut down the emergency response system.
The ministry urged the international community and United Nations agencies to intervene immediately to allow the supply of essential automotive materials and to urgently provide 60 new diesel-powered ambulances. It concluded by reaffirming its commitment to continuing its humanitarian mission utilizing all available, albeit limited, resources.
