Gaza faces catastrophic medical shortages as WHO warns of "stock zero" crisis

By lauraharris // 2025-05-31

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The WHO reports that Gaza's healthcare system is on the brink of collapse, with 64 percent of medical equipment, 43 percent of essential medicines and 42 percent of vaccines completely depleted.
Hospitals lack basic supplies such as anesthesia, IV fluids and antibiotics. Health workers are operating in dire conditions with mounting patient needs and minimal resources.
Despite the severity of the crisis, 51 WHO aid trucks remain stalled at Gaza's border, unable to enter due to a lack of clearance, following an 11-week Israeli blockade.
WHO will not participate in the U.S.-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) initiative, citing concerns about neutrality, impartiality and independence.
UN aid chief Tom Fletcher condemned the GHF approach, saying it risks worsening the crisis by tying aid to political and military goals and failing to reach all affected areas.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm over the rapidly deteriorating health conditions in the Gaza Strip, reporting that most medical equipment stocks in the region have been exhausted, with critical shortages in essential medicines and vaccines. According to the WHO report, the healthcare system in Gaza is now on the brink of collapse. Hospitals are struggling to operate without basic supplies, while health workers face mounting pressure to treat patients in extreme and often dangerous conditions. (Related: Gaza humanitarian crisis deepens despite ceasefire agreement.) The humanitarian crisis has escalated sharply amid an ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has gripped the region since October 2023. After an 11-week blockade, Israel allowed 100 aid trucks into Gaza on May 21, carrying flour, baby food and some medical supplies. However, none of that aid came from the WHO. Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, told reporters on Monday, May 26, in Geneva that nearly two-thirds of Gaza's medical equipment has run out, alongside 43 percent of essential medicines and 42 percent of vaccines. "We are at stock zero of close to 64 percent of medical equipment and stock zero of 43 percent of essential medicines and 42 percent of vaccines," Balkhy said. "Can you imagine a surgeon fixing a broken bone with no anesthesia? IV fluids, needles, bandages – they do not exist in the quantities that are required," she said, noting that basic medications such as antibiotics, pain killers and drugs for chronic diseases were in short supply. Currently, 51 WHO trucks loaded with desperately needed medical aid are stalled at the Gaza border, still awaiting clearance to enter the besieged enclave. Balkhy then emphasized the severity of the shortages, noting that essential medicines such as antibiotics, pain relievers and treatments for chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension are becoming increasingly rare.

WHO will not participate in the new U.S.-backed initiative to oversee aid distribution in Gaza

Despite the ongoing and escalating healthcare conditions in Gaza, WHO clarified that it would not take part in the new U.S.-backed initiative to oversee aid distribution in the area. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), established in February in Switzerland, plans to begin operations in the enclave by the end of May. The foundation said it will implement a new model of aid delivery supported by private U.S. security and logistics contractors, UG Solutions and Safe Reach Solutions, at a time when traditional aid routes remain largely blocked amid ongoing conflict. A source familiar with the project said the GHF has already secured more than $100 million in funding, although the origins of the funding remain undisclosed. Acting U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Dorothy Shea recently told the Security Council that senior U.S. officials are working with Israel to enable the GHF's launch, urging UN agencies and NGOs to cooperate with the plan. However, UN officials are pushing back. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher said the GHF initiative undermines impartiality and risks exacerbating the humanitarian crisis rather than resolving it. "It forces further displacement. It exposes thousands of people to harm. It restricts aid to only one part of Gaza while leaving other dire needs unmet. It makes aid conditional on political and military aims. It makes starvation a bargaining chip," Fletcher explained during the Security Council briefing. Head over to Humanitarian.news for related stories. Watch the video below that talks about trucks carrying humanitarian aid that have begun entering Gaza through the Rafah crossing.

This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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WHO will not participate in the new U.S.-backed initiative to oversee aid distribution in Gaza

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