Gaza Health Ministry: 1,500 Patients Died Awaiting Evacuation, 16,500 Still Trapped

The healthcare crisis in the Gaza Strip has reached a critical juncture, according to figures released by the Hamas-run Health Ministry. Officials claim that the inability to evacuate patients for specialized treatment has resulted in a steady stream of preventable deaths. Maher Shamiya, the ministry's acting undersecretary, stated that more than 1,500 individuals who had already received formal medical referrals for treatment outside Gaza died before they could be moved. Currently, the ministry estimates that 16,500 patients remain on waiting lists, their lives potentially at risk due to the lack of advanced medical infrastructure within the enclave.

Border Restrictions and Limited Resumption

Since the limited resumption of medical evacuations on February 1, 2026, only 1,204 patients have been permitted to leave through the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. This follows a long period of closure that severely backlogged the medical system. The Health Ministry alleges that Israeli authorities continue to prevent the vast majority of those in need from exiting, even as a ceasefire remains technically in effect. According to the ministry's data, between 6 and 10 patients die every day from treatable diseases or injuries simply because the specific care they require is unavailable in Gaza's degraded hospital network.

Context of the Healthcare Collapse

The reported figures come against the backdrop of a broader humanitarian challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) had previously estimated in late 2025 that over 1,000 patients had died awaiting evacuation since July 2024, suggesting that the ministry's latest figures reflect a worsening trend. While Israel has facilitated some medical transfers, security concerns regarding the vetting of those leaving the Strip and the operational status of the crossings remain central to the slow pace of evacuations.

Analysis and Verification

It is important to note that these figures are provided by the Gaza Health Ministry, which operates under the Hamas administration. While international bodies like the WHO have corroborated the general severity of the medical backlog, the specific death toll of 1,500 and the daily fatality rate of 6 to 10 have not been independently verified by neutral third parties or Israeli officials. The Zioneer Intelligence Desk notes that the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and those who may have been involved in hostilities in its broader casualty reporting, though these specific figures refer to patients with medical referrals. The outlook for these 16,500 trapped patients remains tied to the stability of the ceasefire and the complex negotiations surrounding the management of Gaza's border crossings.