Rights group warns of accelerating collapse in medical oxygen production in Gaza

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights warned of the accelerating collapse of the medical oxygen production and filling system in Gaza, stressing it is an extension of the health collapse since the start of the genocide on October 8, 2023. It stated that only 12 out of 34 stations are operating, and 4 filling devices out of 30, due to destruction and restrictions on entry. It called on the international community to intervene urgently.

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights warned of the accelerating collapse of the medical oxygen production and filling system in the Gaza Strip, considering the crisis a direct extension of the systematic collapse that has affected the health system since the start of the genocide on October 8, 2023. The Centre stated in a statement that the collapse resulted from the widespread destruction of health facilities, the disruption of their operational capacities, and the severe shortage of medicines and medical supplies, along with restrictions on the entry of equipment and spare parts. According to engineer Mazen al-Araishi, Director General of Engineering and Maintenance at the Ministry of Health, only 12 out of 34 oxygen generation stations are currently operating, while 22 stations are out of service, and only 4 out of 30 cylinder filling devices are working. The Centre linked the crisis to the broader destruction of the health system, noting that 34 out of 36 hospitals (94%) were damaged, while 18 hospitals (50%) are operating partially. The Centre relied on Articles 55 and 56 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and Article II(c) of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, and called on the international community and states parties to take immediate action, and demanded that Israel stop measures hindering the health system and ensure the entry of equipment.