Healthcare Catastrophe in Gaza: Destruction of MRI Machines Threatens Thousands of Lives

Amid an escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, the healthcare sector faces an unprecedented collapse due to the systematic targeting of medical infrastructure by Israeli forces.

The destruction of MRI machines, coupled with the demolition of hospitals and restrictions on medical equipment imports, has deprived hundreds of thousands of patients and injured individuals of essential diagnostic and treatment services.

This media and humanitarian report sheds light on this catastrophe, detailing its devastating impact on Gaza’s population and urging the international community to act swiftly to save lives.

Destruction of MRI Machines: A Devastating Blow to Medical Diagnostics

Since the onset of the war in October 2023, Israeli forces have systematically targeted Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure. According to reports from the Palestinian Ministry of Health and international organizations, all nine MRI machines in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed, either through direct bombardment or due to a lack of operational gases, rendering them inoperable.

These machines, critical for diagnosing complex conditions such as tumors, spinal injuries, and neurological disorders, were a lifeline for thousands of patients. Their absence makes accurate diagnosis nearly impossible, leading to delayed treatments or worsening conditions, particularly under the immense pressure on the remaining hospitals, which are grappling with severe resource shortages.

A World Health Organization (WHO) report indicates that only 17 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals remain partially operational, while 19 are completely out of service. This reality has turned precise diagnostics into an unattainable dream, leaving doctors facing a humanitarian dilemma: how can a patient be treated without knowing the nature of their condition?

Lack of Alternatives and Closed Crossings: Siege Stifles Hope

The destruction extends beyond vital equipment to the prevention of importing replacement MRI machines or spare parts to repair damaged ones. Medical sources confirm that Israeli authorities are obstructing the entry of medical equipment through Gaza’s crossings, including the Rafah crossing, which has been closed since May 2024, preventing the evacuation of over 10,000 patients needing urgent treatment abroad.

This stringent blockade also affects essential medications, with 54% of cancer and blood disorder drugs and 37% of basic medications depleted, making treatment nearly impossible for patients with chronic illnesses. In this context, medical unions and humanitarian organizations have issued repeated appeals for immediate international intervention, but responses remain inadequate.

Dr. Maher Shamiya, Assistant Undersecretary of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, stated that the war aims to “force residents to leave” by systematically dismantling the healthcare sector. This logistical and medical void exacerbates patient suffering, as the remaining hospitals are unable to accommodate the influx of wounded and sick, leaving alternatives virtually nonexistent.

Patients’ Suffering: A Deferred Death Sentence

The destruction of MRI machines has had a catastrophic impact on tens of thousands of patients in Gaza, leaving complex cases, such as spinal injuries, tumors, and neurological disorders, facing an uncertain fate due to the absence of precise diagnostic tools.

Cancer patients, who require regular monitoring to track disease progression, suffer from halted treatments due to shortages of medications and diagnostic tests, increasing the risk of deterioration or death. Children with congenital deformities and those injured in bombardments face delays in diagnosis that could lead to permanent disabilities or fatal complications.

This grim reality transforms hospitals into waiting zones rather than treatment centers, forcing doctors to make critical medical decisions based on imprecise guesses, endangering patients’ lives. WHO reports have documented deaths due to the inability to perform vital diagnostic tests, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza.

Collapse of Healthcare Infrastructure: Gaza on the Brink

The devastation is not limited to MRI machines but encompasses the entire healthcare infrastructure. Since the war began, Israeli forces have destroyed 34 hospitals, 80 health centers, and 130 ambulances, alongside the killing of 1,300 paramedics and medical workers.

This systematic targeting has included specialized facilities like the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, Gaza’s only cancer treatment center, and pediatric hospitals such as Al-Rantisi and Al-Nasr.

The blockade imposed since March 2025 has also restricted fuel imports, forcing hospitals to rely on intermittent generators, threatening the shutdown of intensive care units and neonatal incubators. A UN report described these attacks as “war crimes,” noting their violation of international humanitarian law protecting medical facilities.

This widespread destruction has left Gaza’s healthcare system incapable of meeting the needs of its 2.4 million residents, with remaining hospitals overcrowded and lacking essential drugs and equipment, rendering adequate medical care nearly impossible.

Urgent Call to the International Community: Act Now or Face Catastrophe

Amid this dire situation, the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the Government Media Office have issued repeated calls to the United Nations and the International Red Cross for urgent intervention. Key demands include the immediate provision of backup MRI machines, the reopening of the Rafah crossing to facilitate the entry of heavy medical equipment, and the protection of hospitals from bombardment.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has also called for independent and thorough investigations into these violations and accountability for those responsible for war crimes. Yet, international hesitation worsens the crisis, with humanitarian aid blocked and crossings sealed, making saving lives a daily challenge.

Human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch have emphasized that continued violations necessitate the suspension of military aid to Israel by countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, alongside pressure to restore electricity, water, and fuel supplies to Gaza.

The Right to Life Is Not a Luxury

The healthcare catastrophe in Gaza is not merely a medical crisis but a humanitarian disaster exposing a blatant disregard for international law and human rights. The destruction of MRI machines is part of a broader strategy to undermine the population’s ability to survive. Immediate international action is required, including

• Urgent provision of replacement MRI machines.

• Opening crossings to allow the entry of medical equipment and drugs.

• Protecting hospitals and medical staff from targeting.

• Supplying critical medications for cancer and chronic disease patients.

• Documenting violations and holding perpetrators accountable in international courts.

Without these steps, the suffering of Gaza’s patients and injured will persist, turning illness into a deferred death sentence. This report is not just a recounting of events but a cry to save the lives of thousands facing an uncertain fate. The right to life and treatment is not a luxury but a fundamental human duty that must be upheld today, before tomorrow becomes even darker.