The Weaponization of Sustenance
THE CLAIM: The New Arab reports that Gaza's remaining hospitals are unable to treat patients due to shortages of vital medicines, equipment, and staff, directly attributing this to Israeli blockades and ongoing military actions. The Health Ministry in Gaza claims that medical teams are performing surgeries without anaesthesia and patients with chronic illnesses lack access to necessary treatments,
impacting over two million residents. The narrative suggests an immediate crisis, implying recent action precipitated the shortages. THE EVIDENCE: The current crisis is inextricably linked to a 17-year blockade on Gaza, which has systematically degraded healthcare infrastructure. United Nations data indicates that prior to the current conflict, 97% of Gaza's water was undrinkable, and 80% of its
population was dependent on humanitarian aid (UNICEF, 2023). This pre-existing vulnerability means any interruption to essential goods, including medical supplies, has immediate and catastrophic effects. A 2020 report by Physicians for Human Rights Israel documented the chronic shortage of essential medicines and medical equipment in Gaza even then, noting that many items were regularly denied
entry, citing 'dual-use' concerns without transparent justification. This pattern intensified with the current escalation, with aid organisations like the WHO reporting consistent barriers to humanitarian access (WHO, 2023). Specific prohibitions have included items as basic as oxygen cylinders, certain diagnostic equipment, and spare parts for medical machinery, all framed under security pretexts