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Diabetes patients in Gaza face survival battle amid war shortages

Diabetes patients in Gaza face survival battle amid war shortages
NEWS SUMMARY
Diabetes patients in Gaza, such as 20-year-old Hamza al-Ghazali in Zeitoun neighborhood, face life-threatening shortages of insulin and monitoring equipment due to Israeli restrictions since October 2023. The shortage has driven insulin prices from 25–35 shekels to 75–100 shekels per pen, forcing patients to ration doses and risk severe complications.
Full BriefGenerated 50d ago
What Happened
The blockade and war in Gaza have caused severe shortages of insulin, glucose meters, and test strips, placing 70,000–80,000 diabetes patients at risk, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza. Hamza al-Ghazali, a 20-year-old from Zeitoun, described a daily struggle to find insulin pens, with prices surging from 25–35 shekels ($8.5–$12) to 75–100 shekels ($25–$34) per pen; he requires six to seven pens monthly. Glucose test strips are scarce, forcing many patients to judge blood sugar levels by symptoms alone. Dr. Adli al-Ghouti, an endocrinologist, warned that about 2,500 children with Type 1 diabetes are in critical condition and that expired or improperly stored insulin may be ineffective, risking life-threatening complications like diabetic ketoacidosis.
Key Actors
  • ·
    Hamza al-Ghazali(Diabetes patient in Gaza)Describes his daily search for insulin and test strips, highlighting price spikes and the constant fear of death from low blood sugar or diabetic ketoacidosis.
  • ·
    Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza(Governing health authority in Gaza)Reports that 70,000–80,000 diabetes patients face severe risk due to shortages of insulin and test strips, and collapse of medical follow-up.
  • ·
    Dr. Adli al-Ghouti(Endocrinology and diabetes specialist)Warns that about 2,500 children with Type 1 diabetes are in critical condition, and that expired or improperly stored insulin can cause a false sense of improvement while blood sugar remains uncontrolled.
Why It Matters
The insulin crisis exemplifies how the war and blockade produce a silent humanitarian emergency, extending beyond battlefield casualties to chronic disease management. Medical supply shortages compound civilian suffering, increasing international pressure for humanitarian access and weighing on ceasefire and aid negotiations.
Watch For
Monitor for any Israeli adjustments to border restrictions on medical supplies, announcements from the World Health Organization or UNRWA regarding diabetes-related deaths or complications, and whether the health crisis becomes a focal point in ongoing ceasefire talks.
Generated 50d ago · Based on full article
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This page aggregates and summarizes reporting from Al Jazeera. The Conflict Pulse does not author original reporting. Read the original source for full coverage.
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