The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced today a critical shortage of blood units and blood components in its laboratories and blood banks, warning that the urgent demand continues to rise sharply due to the increasing number of critically injured individuals amid the ongoing Israeli aggression.
In a press statement, the Ministry revealed that the current stock of blood units falls significantly short of the minimum monthly requirements. While over 10,000 units of blood and related components were distributed last month, only 3,500 units were collected during the same period, highlighting a dangerous and widening gap.
The Ministry further emphasized that community-based donation drives are no longer sufficient to address the shortfall. It cited the deteriorating health conditions among the population, including a growing prevalence of malnutrition and anemia, as major obstacles to sustaining adequate blood donations. The Ministry called for immediate efforts to replenish blood bank reserves to support emergency medical procedures and life-saving interventions.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worsened dramatically since March 2, following the Israeli occupation's complete closure of all border crossings into the Strip. This blockade has halted the entry of essential supplies, including food, medical aid, and fuel, further compounding the suffering of civilians.
Since the start of its aggression on October 7, 2023, the Israeli occupation has continued its attacks and raids on the Gaza Strip leaving more than 189,000 dead and wounded, the majority of whom are children and women. More than 11,000 people remain missing, still trapped under the rubble and in targeted areas, amid the collapse of the health system and the inability of rescue teams.
