New Delhi: The Palestinian healthcare system is facing one of its gravest crises in recent years, with severe shortages of medicines and medical supplies threatening the lives of thousands of patients across the occupied Palestinian territories. The Embassy of Palestine in New Delhi said on Thursday that Palestinian authorities accused Israel of driving the health sector toward collapse through its continued withholding of Palestinian clearance revenues and the imposition of what officials described as a financial siege.
The worsening humanitarian situation has left hospitals and healthcare facilities struggling to provide even the most basic medical services. Palestinian officials warned that the crisis is no longer a future threat but an unfolding reality affecting thousands of patients whose lives depend on uninterrupted access to medicines and treatment.
The alarm was formally raised on June 4, when the Palestinian Ministry of Health issued an urgent warning regarding the depletion of critical medicines and medical supplies: 180 of the 520 essential medicines required by the healthcare system have completely run out of stock, creating dangerous gaps in treatment for patients suffering from chronic and life-threatening illnesses.
Particularly alarming is the situation faced by cancer patients: 50 out of the 97 medicines used in cancer treatment are no longer available. More than 4,000 cancer patients now face a direct threat to their lives due to the shortages. Doctors and healthcare workers are reportedly being forced to make difficult decisions regarding treatment priorities as supplies continue to dwindle. Kidney dialysis patients are also facing increasing uncertainty.
Strategic reserves of medicines, laboratory materials, and other essential medical supplies have fallen to critically low levels, raising fears that healthcare providers may soon be unable to maintain life-saving services.
Palestinian officials linked the shortages directly to the ongoing financial crisis caused by Israel’s withholding of Palestinian clearance revenues. These revenues, which constitute a significant portion of the Palestinian Authority’s income, are essential for funding public services, including healthcare. The continued withholding of these funds has severely weakened the government’s ability to purchase medicines, pay suppliers, and sustain healthcare operations.
Official figures cited in the statement reveal a sharp decline in the number of surgical procedures being performed. Between the beginning of 2026 and June 1, only 19,500 surgeries were carried out, compared with about 65,000 surgeries performed during the whole of 2025.
The reduction in surgical capacity has created a growing backlog of patients awaiting treatment. More than 11,000 scheduled operations have already been postponed, leaving many patients at risk of worsening medical conditions and potentially irreversible health complications. Healthcare professionals warn that delays in treatment could lead to increased mortality rates, particularly among patients requiring urgent surgical intervention.
The health emergency is unfolding amid a broader economic crisis that has further intensified public suffering. Palestinian authorities noted that rising poverty and unemployment have forced increasing numbers of people to rely on public healthcare facilities. As demand for medical services grows, hospitals are being asked to do more with fewer resources, creating enormous pressure on an already strained system. Palestinian officials described the situation as a humanitarian catastrophe in the making.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health has launched an urgent appeal to donor countries, humanitarian organisations, and international institutions. It estimates that at least 50 million US dollars are immediately needed to purchase life-saving medicines. An additional 50 million US dollars is required to secure essential medical supplies and maintain basic healthcare services across hospitals and clinics.
The Embassy stressed that immediate international intervention is necessary to prevent further deterioration and to protect the right of Palestinians to access healthcare. Officials called on the global community to act swiftly before shortages lead to a wider humanitarian disaster affecting thousands of vulnerable patients.
