Gaza Health Officials Accuse Israel of “Drip-Feed” Aid Policy Amid Humanitarian Catastrophe

The Director-General of Gaza’s Health Ministry has condemned Israel’s restrictive aid policies, describing them as a deliberate “drip-feed” approach that continues to block critical medical supplies from reaching the besieged enclave.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Munir al-Bursh stated that despite urgent needs, Israel systematically obstructs the entry of life-saving medications, surgical equipment, and nutritional supplements for children. Over 350,000 chronic disease patients in Gaza reportedly lack access to basic treatments like insulin and hypertension drugs, while hospitals face unprecedented shortages of emergency supplies.

Collapsing Healthcare System
Muhammad Abu Salmiya, director of Gaza’s Al-Shifa Medical Complex, warned that the blockade has triggered a 35% spike in neonatal mortality rates, with thousands of amputees—including 2,000 children—left without prosthetics.

Medical staff, already overwhelmed, cannot replace specialists killed in the war, leaving the healthcare system on the brink of total collapse. Abu Salmiya accused Israel of intentionally paralyzing medical services to exacerbate civilian suffering, noting a rise in birth defects linked to malnutrition and suspected illegal weapons use.

Ceasefire Violations Continue
While a temporary truce brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey took effect on October 18, Israeli forces have repeatedly violated its terms through ongoing airstrikes and movement restrictions.

The agreement permits limited travel between northern and southern Gaza via Salah al-Din and Al-Rashid roads, but aid delivery remains woefully inadequate.

Health officials demand immediate border reopenings to evacuate critical patients and restore medical supply lines—calls that go unheeded as Israel maintains its blockade.