The humanitarian situation at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah has reached a critical point, as medical teams struggle to sustain life-saving services amid an escalating energy crisis and acute supply shortages, according to updates from United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), World Health Organization (WHO), and the Gaza Ministry of Health.Hospital on the Brink
As of February 14, 2026, both of the hospital’s main power generators have reportedly failed due to shortages of fuel and spare parts. Medical teams are relying on two small backup generators described as unreliable and insufficient to power all departments.
Doctors warn that electricity may soon be cut from non-critical wards to preserve supply to the Intensive Care Unit, neonatal incubators, and dialysis units. Aid officials describe the situation as posing an imminent risk of systemic collapse if fuel and technical components are not urgently delivered.
Humanitarian Access Constraints
Although a ceasefire brokered in October 2025 remains in effect, humanitarian agencies report persistent access restrictions. OCHA states that “dual-use” limitations imposed by Israeli authorities continue to delay or block the entry of specialized spare parts required to repair hospital power systems.
The broader health infrastructure across Gaza remains severely degraded. According to consolidated data from the UN, WHO and the Gaza Ministry of Health:
- More than 71,800 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, 2023.
- Approximately 1,700 healthcare workers have lost their lives.
- Only 18 of 36 hospitals in Gaza are currently partially functional.
- Over 18,500 patients urgently require medical evacuation for specialized treatment unavailable locally.
- Fifty-one percent of essential medicines are at zero stock levels.
Fragile Ceasefire, Ongoing Losses
Despite a reduction in large-scale hostilities following the October 10, 2025 ceasefire, OCHA reports that at least 574 Palestinians have been killed since the truce began, largely due to localized strikes and unexploded ordnance.
The Rafah Crossing reopened in early February 2026 to allow limited medical evacuations and civilian returns, but aid volumes remain far below what is needed to stabilize the system.
Patients at Immediate Risk
The WHO warns that a total power failure would have immediate life-threatening consequences. Dialysis patients are considered particularly vulnerable, as treatment interruptions can quickly become fatal. Neonates in incubators and critically ill ICU patients depend entirely on stable electricity.
Overcrowding, limited clean water and inadequate sanitation have compounded health risks in Deir al-Balah. Aid agencies report rising acute malnutrition and respiratory infections, especially among children and the elderly.
International Appeal
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, recently stressed that the “rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief” is essential to prevent the collapse of Gaza’s remaining medical facilities.
With Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital now operating on fragile backup power, humanitarian agencies warn that the coming days could determine whether one of central Gaza’s last functioning hospitals continues to provide critical care — or faces shutdown.
