Gaza health services to cease operation in 72 hours

The Palestinian health ministry has warned that health facilities in Gaza are facing a total shutdown within 72 hours.

The power outages caused by the closure of the enclave's sole power plant, due to Israeli prevention of fuel trucks from entering Gaza, means that hospitals are set to face "difficult and decisive" hours.

"The power outage poses a serious threat to the work of vital departments in hospitals, especially emergency departments, intensive care, operations, dialysis departments, laboratories, nurseries, laundries, oxygen systems and medical gases," the ministry said in a statement.

"In light of these developments, the Ministry of Health announces the cessation of work in outpatient clinics in all hospitals, and the cessation of scheduled surgeries to give the full opportunity to conduct emergency operations for the victims of the ongoing aggression.

"The Ministry of Health calls on all international, humanitarian and relief institutions to stand up to their responsibilities to pressure the Israeli occupation to allow patients in need of critical care to pass through the Beit Hanoun crossing immediately and work to supply health facilities with its urgent needs and fuel supplies."

The ministry added that Israel, under its 15-year blockade of Gaza, is preventing the entry of 24 diagnostic x-ray machines, in addition to preventing the entry of need spare parts needed for other life-saving machinery.

The health sector in Gaza had been facing "the worst situation in years" before the assault even began, it added, experiencing a 40 percent shortage of medical supplies, 30 percent of the required emergency and surgical supplies and 60 percent of laboratory and blood bank supplies.