Al-Wafa Hospital in Gaza suspends essential services and warns of operational crisis

The administration of Al-Wafa Medical Rehabilitation and Specialized Surgery Hospital in Gaza announced the temporary suspension of outpatient clinics, surgical operations, and physical therapy due to a severe shortage of diesel and fuel. It warned of an operational crisis threatening its ability to continue services for patients, wounded, and people with disabilities, and appealed to international organizations for urgent intervention.

The administration of Al-Wafa Medical Rehabilitation and Specialized Surgery Hospital in Gaza announced on Monday, September 21, 2026, the temporary suspension of several essential services, including outpatient clinics, surgical operations, physical and occupational therapy, and speech and swallowing services. This decision aims to conserve available resources and direct them toward inpatients and indispensable medical services. The administration explained that the hospital faces a severe shortage of diesel and fuel needed to operate generators and vehicles, along with increasing difficulties in procuring oils, tires, spare parts, and maintenance supplies. It warned that the operational and humanitarian crisis has reached an extremely dangerous stage, threatening the hospital's ability to continue providing medical and rehabilitation services to patients, wounded, and people with disabilities. The hospital administration appealed to the World Health Organization, the United Nations, health and humanitarian institutions, and supporting bodies for urgent intervention to provide fuel, oils, spare parts, and necessary operational needs. It stressed that the continuation of the crisis without urgent intervention could lead to further service reductions at a time when the need for treatment and rehabilitation services in the Gaza Strip is increasing. This crisis comes amid escalating operational challenges facing health facilities in the Strip, with difficulty securing fuel and basic supplies.