WHO oPt Emergency Situation Update 63 (07 October 2023 – 21 August 2025)

21 August 2025

General updates

Gaza Strip

• Between 18 March and 21 August 2025, following the collapse of the ceasefire, the Ministry of Health (MoH) reported at least 10 646 deaths and 45 073 injuries – including over 2036 deaths and 15 064 injuries sustained while seeking food and humanitarian aid.
• The malnutrition crisis remains dire, with a rising number of acutely malnourished children reported since March 2025 – coinciding with the onset of the more than 80-day aid blockade.
  • Between 1 January and 20 August 2025, more than 35 430 children aged 6-59 months were treated for acute malnutrition, and the MoH reported over 200 deaths linked to malnutrition-related causes.
  • As of 16 August, nearly 400 acutely malnourished children with medical complications have been admitted to Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) Stabilization Centers, including 54 in the first two weeks of August.
  • Only five SAM SCs remain operational in the Gaza Strip, with a total bed capacity of just 43.
• Infectious disease threats persist, driven by overcrowding, poor WASH conditions, and malnutrition-related weakened immunity:
  • Acute Respiratory Infections and Acute Watery Diarrhea remain the most frequently reported conditions overall. In week 32 (3-9 August), they accounted for 58% and 41% of all reported morbidities, respectively.
  • From 1-18 August, 104 cases of suspected meningitis have been reported, including 20 probable bacterial and 84 probable viral meningitis.
  • A total of 85 suspected Guillain-Barre Syndrome cases were reported, including eight associated deaths. No epidemiological link has been identified between cases.
• Ongoing attacks and resource shortages have severely weakened the health system – damaging or destroying 94% of hospitals, overwhelming remaining partially functional ones, and disrupting essential health service delivery.
  • From 15 to 17 August, attacks on Al-Aqsa Hospital (Deir Al-Balah) and Ahli Arab Hospital (Gaza City) killed nine people, injured six, and damaged hospital buildings and a vehicle belonging to the MoH.
  • Major MoH hospitals are operating far beyond capacity, with bed occupancy reaching 300% at Ahli, 240% at Shifa, 210% at Rantissi, and 180% at Nasser.
  • Conflict escalation in Gaza City risks closing 11 of 18 partially functioning hospitals in the Gaza Strip, representing 49% (1022) of total hospital beds, 47% (722) of inpatient beds, and 51% (35) of all ICU beds in the Gaza Strip.
  • Stocks of essential medical supplies remain critically low, with the MoH reporting zero stock for 52% of essential drugs and 68% of medical disposables.
  • Denial rates for EMT staff remain a serious concern, with essential international health professionals, including surgeons and other specialized medical personnel, being barred from entry.
  • Hemodialysis services are overstretched, with 26 machines serving 230 patients at Nasser Medical Complex – well beyond the recommended capacity.
• Blood and blood product shortages continue, as hospitals struggle with managing multiple mass casualty incidents daily.
• On 16 August, WHO carried out its first approved mission to the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis since closure in May 2025 following massive airstrikes.
  • Access remains severely constrained.
  • While the main building is intact, the oncology unit, field hospital, sewage system, MRI, and one operating theatre sustained major damage.
  • The warehouse remains stocked, including 20 hemodialysis machines
  • Three months will be needed to restore secondary-level services.

For further reading, see WHO oPt situation reports, available on the UNISPAL database:

World Health Organization – oPt Situation Reports