Al-Awda Hospital in Gaza Shuts Down as Israeli Siege Cuts Fuel Supplies
Hospital in Nuseirat Forced to Shut Down as Israeli Siege and Aid Restrictions Deepen Health Catastrophe
Palestine, PUREWILAYAH.COM - Al-Awda Health and Community Association announced early Thursday that it has been forced to suspend all health services at the Al-Awda Medical Complex in Nuseirat, after completely running out of diesel fuel required to operate electricity generators.
In an official statement, the association said:
“To our valued public, we regret to inform you that Al-Awda Hospital – Nuseirat will temporarily cease operations due to the exhaustion of diesel fuel and the inability to operate generators.
This suspension is beyond our control, and God prevails over all affairs.”
Fuel Shortage Paralyzes Medical Services Under Siege
The announcement comes amid a severe and prolonged health crisis in the Gaza Strip, driven by Israel’s ongoing blockade, systematic restrictions on fuel and aid entry, and the cumulative impact of repeated escalations since October 7, 2023.
Al-Awda Health and Community Association had previously warned of an imminent shutdown of its facilities, citing an acute operational crisis caused by:
Chronic shortages of fuel and electricity
Severe lack of medicines and medical supplies
Insufficient funding and human resources
Continuous emergency conditions under siege
“Operating Under Extreme Conditions for Over Two Years”
Ra’fat Ali Al-Majdalawi, Director General of the association, said Al-Awda’s facilities have been operating under extraordinarily complex and unsustainable conditions for more than 26 months, relying almost entirely on crisis-management measures to survive.
He explained that fuel and diesel are the backbone of healthcare delivery in Gaza, where electricity from the grid is virtually nonexistent due to Israeli restrictions and infrastructure destruction.
“Since the beginning of the crisis, we have implemented strict rationing measures to reduce fuel consumption to the lowest possible level,” Al-Majdalawi said. “Despite this, our remaining fuel stock is nearly depleted.”
Only 800 Liters Left — Daily Need Exceeds 2,600 Liters
According to Al-Majdalawi, the association currently has no more than 800 liters of fuel remaining across all its facilities, while the minimum daily operational requirement exceeds 2,600 liters.
This shortfall threatens:
Complete suspension of primary healthcare services
Shutdown of community protection programs
Paralysis of administrative and support operations
Total collapse of service delivery at Al-Awda facilities
Nuseirat Medical Complex Faces Total Shutdown
The most dangerous consequence, Al-Majdalawi warned, is the full shutdown of Al-Awda Medical Complex in Nuseirat by midday Thursday, which would immediately cut off health services for approximately 3,000 beneficiaries per day.
This includes:
Suspension of all scheduled surgical operations
Halt of natural, cesarean, and emergency childbirth services for around 60 women daily
Complete shutdown of emergency and reception departments
Total interruption of pediatric inpatient and clinical care
Urgent Appeal for Immediate Intervention
Al-Majdalawi issued an urgent appeal to national, humanitarian, and international organizations to intervene immediately and supply Al-Awda facilities with the necessary fuel to keep them operational.
He stressed that Al-Awda Medical Complex in Nuseirat is a central pillar of Gaza’s collapsing health system, carrying an enormous burden in responding to the growing medical and humanitarian needs created by Israel’s war, siege, and collective punishment policies.
“The continuation of this situation means denying life-saving care to thousands,” he warned, “and represents yet another direct assault on the right to health of Gaza’s civilian population.” (PW)