Current Situation Update on the PRCS Response in the Gaza Strip

(5 May, 2025)

 

Introduction

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) continues to operate under extremely difficult humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, amid ongoing war and escalating daily attacks. These events have been accompanied by the complete closure of border crossings and the prevention of humanitarian aid, medical and food supplies from entering, leading to an the near-total paralysis of most vital sectors

This catastrophic situation has created unprecedent circumstances. The healthcare system is on the verge of collapse, with numerous hospitals and clinics ceasing operations due to direct targeting or the depletion of fuel and medical supplies. The Gaza Strip is suffering a severe shortage of medications, particularly those for chronic illnesses, antibiotics, and infant formula, putting the lives of thousands of patients and wounded individuals at risk of death

On the nutritional front, the population is facing once again at extreme risk of famine with conditions even more dire than in the past 19 months, as essential food supplies have run out in both markets and distribution centers. There is an inability to meet even the minimum daily needs of over a million displaced people, most of whom are living in unsanitary conditions in overcrowded shelter camps or out in the open, without access to clean water or adequate sanitation

In this context, we present this update to highlight the current state of the health and relief facilities and services operated by PRCS, assess the status of remaining strategic stock, and outline the primary challenges threatening the continuity of service delivery

          First: Field Situations of PRCS Branches and Health Centers

  PRCS Branches:

1. Rafah Governorate Branch: Includes an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) center and a primary care clinic. They are all completely out of service due to the ongoing military invasion of the city.  
2. North Gaza Governorate Branch: Operating partially at a minimum capacity, under constant threat due to repeated attacks in the vicinity of the branch.
3. Gaza Governorate Branch: PRCS activities and programs in the Gaza governorate are being managed from a temporary administrative headquarters, while efforts continue to rehabilitate the main headquarters which suffered extensive damage during the attacks on the area.
4. Khan Younis Governorate Branch: Operating partially due to the destruction sustained by its buildings. Staff are making every effort to continue providing services through the branch.
5. Central Governorate Branch: Continues to operate as much as possible, despite limited resources and capabilities. PRCS teams are doing their utmost to respond to the population’s needs with the available resources.
   
   Primary Care Clinics, Medical Points & Hospitals: 

•    Out of (29) clinics and medical points, (13) have ceased operations. The remaining clinics continue to operate but with severely limited capabilities.
•    Pressure has increased significantly on the PRCS hospitals and medical points following the shutdown of most Ministry of Health facilities.
•    Medical teams are working at full capacity despite severe shortages in medicines and supplies.

1. Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis: Different sections are partially operational (ER, Intensive Care, Radiology, Obstetrics & Medical Rehabilitation)

2. Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza: It is partially operational and some sections are out of service such as radiology and cardiac surgery and catheterization. Efforts continue to rehabilitate the other sections which suffered extensive damage. 
3. Red Crescent Field Hospital (Gaza -Al-Saraya area):it is fully operational (ER, Intensive Care, Obstetrics & Outpatient clinics).
4. Al-Quds Field Hospital in Rafah: it was moved from Khan Younis to Rafah during the truce and it is now out of service.
   
   Second: Relief and Humanitarian Response 

 Food Supplies:

• Food stocks allocated for displaced people are completely depleted.
• Remaining quantities are only sufficient to meet the needs of teams for no more than one month.
• Limited quantities of legumes are being distributed to “community kitchens” to cover some of the basic needs of displaced individuals.
   

   Relief Aid:

• Most essential items have run out, such as hygiene supplies, kitchen utensils, tarpaulins, and women's dignity kits, etc.
• The remaining quantities of tents, blankets, mattresses, and other shelter items may run out within two weeks if the current situation continues.

Third: Medical Stock

  Medications:

• 47% shortage in hospital medications.
• 70% shortage in primary health care medications.
• Complete unavailability of medications for chronic diseases, infant formula, and nutritional supplements.
   

Medical Supplies:

•   57% shortage in general medical consumables.
•  Cardiac surgery and catheterization departments have halted operations due to a 100% depletion of necessary supplies.
•  The orthopedics department is suffering from an 87% shortage of medical supplies. 
•  55% shortage in laboratory supplies.

Fourth: Fuel and Logistics Services

 Fuel:

1. Gasoline: Stock is completely depleted. Only 100 liters per day are being irregularly secured for ambulance operations by some international partners. The daily minimum need of gasoline is approximately (500) liters. 
2. Diesel: Monthly consumption is approximately (140,000) liters, with no sufficient supplies available.

Regarding the operational capacity of ambulances, the PRCS is currently operating (54) ambulances, with (35) gasoline-powered vehicles, all of which are at risk of going out of service, and (19) diesel-powered vehicles distributed across targeted areas to respond to humanitarian calls. Currently, there are (21) ambulances operating daily in the different areas in the Gaza Strip. These vehicles operate around the clock under extremely dangerous conditions to transport the injured and sick, leading to:

1. A significant increase in fuel and spare parts consumption due to continuous and non-stop operation. 
2. An increase in technical malfunctions caused by limited maintenance capabilities and the unavailability of necessary parts due to the blockade.
3. An urgent need to secure regular quantities of fuel (Gasoline and Deisel) to ensure the continuity of operations, especially since the currently available amount of gasoline does not meet the minimum operational requirements.

  Warehouses:

   Amid security challenges and the vast destruction of infrastructure, the ability of PRCS to store and distribute medical and relief supplies has been affected. Below is the current status of the       warehouses:

1. Central warehouse- Tel Al-Hawa (Gaza): Partially operational due to damage and the stock is running out.
2. Al-Amal warehouse (Khan Younis): Partially operational and used to store and distribute supplies as they become available. The relief stock is running out.
3. A leased warehouse in Hamad area (Khan Younis): Operational and actively used to secure the needs of the southern Gaza Strip but it is currently empty.
4. Community warehouses in Al-Mawasi area (Khan Younis): Operational and serves as a temporary logistical alternative for storing medical and relief supplies but they are currently empty.  
5. Two leased warehouses (Rafah governorate): Completely out of service due to military invasion and dangerous access conditions.
    

Fifth: Current Challenges 

• A sharp rise in humanitarian and medical needs of people due to the ongoing hostilities and the deteriorating situation on the ground.  
• Complete closure of border crossings and prevention of humanitarian and medical aid entry and related depletion of resources with no alternatives or means of resupply.
• Ongoing targeting of medical mission (medical teams, ambulances, health facilities and hospitals). 
• Forced evacuation orders that disrupt services and endanger teams.
• Increased pressure on PRCS medical and health services following the collapse of the public health system.

Sixth: Future Response Outlook

          Given the ongoing blockade on the Gaza Strip, the ban on the entry of humanitarian aid and essential supplies, along with the severe depletion of medical, food, and fuel supplies, the PRCS estimates its ability to continue delivering a minimum level of vital services as follow

In the relief sector, PRCS will continue to provide its services based on available resources for only (3) more weeks, due to the depletion of food and relief supplies-

As for other sectors, especially the health sector, PRCS can continue delivering its services for approximately another two months, provided that the minimum required fuel and essential resources needed to operate medical and logistical facilities are maintained-

Seventh: PRCS Asks

The PRCS calls on all international bodies and humanitarian organizations to:

• Take immediate and urgent action to stop the war.
• Open all border crossing points and allow scaled up and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid to all the Gaza Strip, and lift restrictions on import of specific items critical for the humanitarian response such as specialized medical equipment, shelter items, vehicles, VHF equipment, and a field hospital.
• Medical evacuations from the Gaza Strip to other countries must be urgently facilitated, through accelerated approvals and the use of all possible crossing points. This is increasingly urgent given the effective collapse of the medical system in Gaza   
• Provide effective protection for health and humanitarian personnel and facilities
•  Ensure the continuity of principled humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip.