Gaza Hospitals Plunged into Darkness as Power Cuts Worsen Humanitarian Crisis

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  The Pakistan Times  

Islamabad Times


GAZA  In the Gaza Strip, ongoing Israeli military operations and a tight blockade have crippled the healthcare system. Power blackouts have become routine, plunging hospitals into darkness and leaving patients waiting for hours without treatment, often forced to leave in despair.


One patient, Omar Abu Atwa, a 30-year-old driver, was injured in a blast in central Gaza last month. He was taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, but as he waited for an X-ray, the electricity went out, shutting down the equipment doctors needed to examine his wound. After waiting six hours, he left the hospital without receiving any treatment.


This is not an isolated case. Hospitals across Gaza face this crisis daily, where fuel shortages, power outages, and a lack of medical supplies are becoming life-threatening for patients.


The Energy Crisis in Hospitals


Gaza's national power grid has been largely destroyed. Israeli strikes have severely damaged much of the electricity infrastructure. Hospitals are now entirely dependent on backup generators, but the blockade has caused a severe shortage of fuel. What little fuel is available is often of poor quality, leading to generator failures.


This crisis hits patients the hardest. Life-saving equipment such as ventilators, incubators, and monitoring devices become useless without electricity.


A Recurring Tragedy


Like Omar Abu Atwa, thousands of patients face the same situation every day. They wait for hours, but the electricity does not return, and they are forced to leave the hospital. Children, the elderly, and severely injured patients all suffer from this crisis.


One patient said: "I saw children, elderly, and injured people waiting like me. Some needed medical tests, while others kept asking when the electricity would come back so they could continue their treatment. The crisis affected everyone."


Healthcare System on the Brink


Since the start of the conflict on October 7, 2023, Israeli strikes have destroyed or rendered unusable 38 hospitals and 96 primary healthcare centers in Gaza. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that if fuel and medical aid are not provided urgently, Gaza's entire health system could collapse.


Conclusion


The power crisis in Gaza is not just a technical issue; it is a human tragedy that endangers the lives of hundreds of patients every day. International organizations have warned that without improved delivery of fuel, medicines, and medical supplies, the health system could face even more severe consequences.


Copyright 2026 Pakistan Times. All rights reserved.

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