Blood shortages deepen in Gaza as hunger prevents donations
Severe malnutrition caused by Israel's ongoing blockade and starvation campaign in Gaza is preventing many Palestinians from donating blood, despite urgent and growing needs amid Israel’s war on the besieged territory.
Since Israel imposed a total siege on Gaza in October 2023, cutting off food, water, fuel, and humanitarian aid, residents have been plunged into a humanitarian catastrophe. Gaza's population has been surviving on minimal food aid, largely reliant on charity-run soup kitchens that have since stopped functioning. Fresh produce, meat, and dietary supplements are nearly nonexistent, resulting in widespread anaemia and general physical weakness.
Despite some vital aid trickling into Gaza during the now shattered ceasefire, Israel has since reinstated a full blockade on all aid supplies since 2 March, with officials repeatedly stating they will keep this up until all captives are released.
International aid organisations and rights groups have condemned the blockade, however, it has continued to have a direct impact on blood donation drives, which are failing to meet the soaring demand for blood units as hundreds of Palestinians are wounded daily in relentless and indiscriminate strikes and military attacks.
Gaza's health ministry has repeatedly appealed for blood donations, but the low turnout and inability of many to donate have forced authorities to request emergency blood supplies from Jordan and the occupied West Bank.
A week ago, Abdullah Al-Ar'eer donated blood without receiving a preliminary blood count due to a shortage of lab supplies. He told The New Arab's Arabic edition that he felt fine during the donation, but symptoms of anaemia, including dizziness and headaches, appeared the following day.
"I just wanted to do something to help. The injuries are overwhelming, and donating blood felt like the least I could do," he said. "But our bodies are not what they used to be. We drink unsafe water, live off food aid, and now even the aid kitchens have stopped. Some of my friends couldn’t donate because their haemoglobin levels were too low."
In Gaza Baptist Hospital, a young volunteer, Yahya Al-Zard, waited on a stretcher for test results to see if he could donate after the hospital had put out urgent calls for blood, following the deadly Israeli assault on Gaza City’s Shuja’iyya neighbourhood, which left dozens dead or wounded and created critical shortages in O- and A- blood types.
Since then, many medical facilities and hospitals have urged for donations, however, civilians have increasingly been unfit to donate.
One man who tried to donate was unable to complete a full unit (450 grams) and had to stop midway.
"I came here because our people are being massacred. Donating blood is the least I can do. But I’ve felt weaker with each passing week because of the hunger," he said.
Monther Billah Rajab, who had successfully donated blood two weeks into the war, said his health has declined since then. "I hesitated this time. I was afraid because of the hunger, but I still wanted to contribute. Unfortunately, the blood bank didn’t need my type."
One in three donors suffers from anaemia
Lab specialist Huda Abu Dalal, overseeing the donation drive at the hospital, said that around 20 to 30 percent of those who come to donate suffer from anaemia, often without knowing it.
"We sometimes can’t test blood samples due to a shortage of lab materials. We end up drawing blood without proper screening, and some donors experience dizziness, nausea, or fainting - clear signs of anaemia," she said.
Abu Dalal said many of the incomplete donations had to be discarded. "If less than 300 grams are collected, we can’t use it. During the latest drive, 10–15 percent of units were thrown away because donors couldn’t complete the process."
Even when donations are successful, the units are often used within a day, especially after major attacks.
"After the Shuja’iyya massacre, we appealed to the public for donations, but most victims' families were trapped under the rubble," she said.
With stocks running low and donor numbers insufficient, Gaza's health ministry turned to Jordan and the West Bank for help.
Zahir Al-Wahidi, head of health information systems in Gaza, confirmed that thousands of units were sent from both regions. But deliveries are often delayed for days or weeks by Israeli authorities, and some shipments are denied altogether.
More than 100,000 Palestinians have been injured since October 2023, making blood supply one of the most urgent medical needs.
Al-Wahidi added that Israel has blocked the entry of new lab equipment, and much of the existing infrastructure is worn out or has been destroyed. Twenty hospitals are no longer functioning, and only 18 remain in service, operating under dire conditions.
Ramadan blood drive units blocked
Sahar Ghanem, head of the Ministry’s lab department, said 4,000 units were sent from Jordan and 4,000 from the West Bank, alongside 1,500 plasma units. However, 1,500 blood units collected during Ramadan were blocked from entering Gaza after Israel closed the crossings in early March.
"The level of need is far higher than the supply," she said. "Some young people have donated three times since the war began. They faint during the process due to starvation and poor health. We keep calling for donations, but many are turned away because their blood counts are too low."
Ghanem warned that if the current shortage continues and Israel doesn’t allow lab supplies to enter, Gaza’s blood banks could soon run out of reserves altogether.
"Every unit we collect is used almost immediately. Nothing goes back into storage. We’re on the brink."