Three years into the war in Gaza, 97 percent of the Palestinian population remains displaced, with nearly half of these individuals forced to relocate between five and ten times. A new report from Doctors of the World warns that the ongoing conflict and the blockade of humanitarian aid have caused a steady collapse of the health system, resulting in what the organization characterizes as genocide.
Repeated Dis Displacement Fuels Rapid Disease Spread
The frequent movement of civilians has forced them into overcrowded and insecure shelters that lack basic sanitation and clean drinking water. According to the report, this environment has left the population highly susceptible to rapidly spreading illnesses.
Data collected by the organization—which surveyed 416 widows, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and caregivers of children under five—found that 84 percent of children in this age group had been ill in the three months preceding the study. They suffered primarily from diarrhea and skin conditions.
Among pregnant women surveyed, 57 percent reported illness during the same period. Almost all women who were pregnant or breastfeeding exhibited symptoms of anemia, a condition exacerbated by the lack of adequate nutrition and medical support.
Healthcare Infrastructure and Aid Workers Under Fire
The healthcare system in Gaza has effectively ceased to function, Doctors of the World reported. Despite the ceasefire in effect since October of last year, the organization documented 45 attacks on healthcare facilities between January and August.
These incidents resulted in the deaths of ten aid workers and left dozens more injured. The organization itself has been forced to relocate three of its own clinics due to military strikes.
The ongoing blockade of medical supplies has created severe shortages, preventing the treatment of common, easily curable diseases. As a result of these conditions, the number of Palestinians requiring psychosocial support has more than doubled, reaching an estimated one million people in 2025.
Food Insecurity Affects Nearly the Entire Population
Structural food insecurity now affects nearly the entire population, with 84 percent of Palestinians reporting significant difficulty in obtaining nutritious food. Many residents have become reliant on soup kitchens and food aid provided by humanitarian organizations, often skipping meals or reducing portion sizes to prioritize the needs of their children.
Doctors of the World noted that the food permitted into Gaza is often low in nutritional value, lacking sufficient protein, iron, zinc, and essential fatty acids. This chronic deficiency has hindered the development of children and the recovery of patients.
This year alone, the organization has treated more than 450 children and 1,500 pregnant or breastfeeding women for malnutrition.
Questions and Answers on the Gaza Crisis
What is the current status of medical access in Gaza?
The medical system has largely collapsed due to direct attacks on facilities and a blockade on essential supplies. Doctors of the World reports that even basic treatments for common illnesses are unavailable, and the organization has had to relocate clinics multiple times to avoid military strikes.
How has the nutritional status of the population changed?
Most of the population faces severe food insecurity. Due to a reliance on food aid with low nutritional density, many suffer from deficiencies in essential nutrients like zinc and iron, which has led to a documented increase in malnutrition cases among children and pregnant women.
What is the psychological impact of the conflict?
The number of people requiring mental health support has more than doubled since the start of the conflict, reaching one million people in 2025. This surge is attributed to the persistent trauma of displacement, violence, and the inability to access basic life necessities.
Related reading