GAZA, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), The Al-Awda Health and Community Association (Al-Awda Medical Complex) in Gaza announced early Thursday that it has suspended its services due to a complete depletion of diesel fuel.
In a press statement, the association said, “To our valued community, we regret to inform you that Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat will temporarily cease operations due to the depletion of diesel fuel and the inability to operate generators. This disruption is beyond our control. Allah is in command of all things.”
The association had previously warned of an imminent shutdown of its health services amid a severe crisis that has persisted since October 7, 2023, driven by a series of emergency situations and a shortage of operational resources critical to keeping its facilities running.
Rafat Ali Al-Majdalawi, the General Director of the association, explained that Al-Awda’s facilities have been operating under extremely complex conditions since that date, facing acute funding shortages, a lack of medical personnel, critical shortages of medications and supplies, and a worsening fuel crisis affecting the generation of power necessary for operations.
He noted that for over 26 months, the association has followed a crisis-management approach to deal with the diesel and fuel supply issue, both essential to healthcare delivery. Strict conservation measures have been in place to make the most of the small amounts of fuel available.
Currently, the remaining fuel stock across all facilities is dangerously low, only about 800 liters, while the daily minimum requirement is around 2,600 liters. This shortfall threatens a complete halt of all primary healthcare services, community protection programs, administrative operations, and could cause a total shutdown of the facilities.
The most immediate danger, he said, is the total closure of Al-Awda Medical Complex in Nuseirat by midday Thursday, which would cut off health services for nearly 3,000 patients daily. It would also lead to the suspension of scheduled surgeries, natural and C-section deliveries for nearly 60 women per day, and the complete shutdown of emergency and pediatric inpatient care.
Al-Majdalawi urgently appealed to national, humanitarian, and international bodies to intervene immediately and provide the diesel and fuel necessary to keep the facilities running. He stressed that the Al-Awda Medical Complex in Nuseirat is a critical pillar of Gaza’s healthcare system and bears a significant burden in responding to escalating medical and humanitarian needs.
