The ministry emphasized that thousands of patients and wounded are in dire need of facilities equipped to provide medical care, warning that the suspension of specialized and diagnostic services would complicate complex surgeries and further exacerbate the health situation. It emphasized the importance of supporting operating hospitals and enhancing their capacities as a top priority that cannot be postponed.
Official statistics show that Israeli attacks over the past two years have destroyed 38 hospitals, 96 healthcare centers, 197 ambulances, and 61 rescue and firefighting vehicles.
The ministry and local and international human rights reports warned of a complete collapse of the health system as a result of deliberate targeting and a shortage of medical supplies and medicines due to the closure of crossings
In simultaneous statements, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced on Sunday that Israel or the planned international mechanism would undertake the destruction of the Gaza Strip tunnels, describing them as a "spider's web" that posed a major challenge to the Israeli army during the war.
Katz noted that these tunnels were used by Palestinian fighters to launch operations that killed and wounded Israeli soldiers and destroyed military vehicles, in response to what he described as "genocide" against Palestinian civilians.
He added via the X platform that the greatest challenge facing Israel after the return of the kidnapped soldiers will be the destruction of all Hamas terrorist tunnels in Gaza, stressing that this will be accomplished either directly by the army or through the international mechanism under the leadership and supervision of the United States.
Tel Aviv estimates that there are 48 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, 20 of whom are still alive. Meanwhile, more than 11,000 Palestinians are languishing in Israeli prisons, suffering torture and medical neglect. Many of them have been killed, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.
The ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel went into effect at 12:00 p.m. Jerusalem time last Friday, after being approved by the Tel Aviv government early Friday morning.
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority expected the release of Israeli prisoners from Gaza on Monday morning, while the Israeli Prison Service announced the transfer of Palestinian prisoners to designated facilities for their release.
Aid movement and return of displaced persons
As part of humanitarian efforts, approximately 400 trucks carrying various types of aid moved into the Gaza Strip from the Rafah crossing to the Kerem Shalom and Auja crossings on Sunday morning, in preparation for their entry.
Ninety trucks crossed the Rafah crossing in the first hour, marking the first time the crossing has been used since last March due to the large number of trucks expected to enter.
Coordination also took place to open the Rafah crossing from the Palestinian side on Tuesday to receive wounded and sick Palestinians, foreigners, and dual nationals stranded in Egypt.
Thousands of trucks carrying food and medicine are waiting to be allowed in to be allowed in following the recent agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Meanwhile, the Civil Defense announced that half a million Palestinians have returned to Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip since the ceasefire agreement reached in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, went into effect. Meanwhile, displaced persons from the central and southern Gaza Strip continue to flow into Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip on foot or in vehicles.
The returnees walked along Rashid and Salah al-Din Streets, carrying their children and few belongings. Many found their homes completely destroyed, and some were forced to travel the 15 kilometers from Khan Yunis to Gaza City, an exhausting journey.
With this massive influx, authorities face serious challenges due to the massive destruction of water and sewage networks and health facilities. More than 90% of civilian infrastructure and 300,000 housing units have been destroyed. Amjad Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGO Network, reported that 1.5 million Gaza residents have lost their homes as a result of the Israeli aggression.
With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 8, 2023, leaving 67,682 martyrs and 170,033 wounded, most of them children and women, and causing a famine that claimed the lives of 463 Palestinians, including 157 children.
Israel has occupied Palestine and territories in Syria and Lebanon for decades, and refuses to withdraw from these areas and establish an independent Palestinian state
