Gaza’s Diabetes Crisis: The Perilous Search for Insulin Amid War and Blockade

In Gaza, managing diabetes has become a high-risk struggle due to war and blockade. Discover the daily challenges faced by patients like Hamza al-Ghazali in their fight for survival

In the midst of Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, managing a chronic condition like diabetes has become a daily struggle for survival. For 20-year-old Hamza al-Ghazali, a resident of the Zeitoun neighborhood south of Gaza City, the search for essential insulin has turned into a recurring part of life since the outbreak of war in.

The tightening Israeli restrictions on the entry of medicines and medical supplies into the Gaza Strip have made it increasingly difficult for diabetes patients to access the treatment they need. Hamza’s story highlights the severe impact of these restrictions on the lives of those living with Type 1 diabetes a condition that requires strict daily treatment and continuous monitoring.

The Rising Cost and Scarcity of Insulin

Before the war, Hamza could obtain insulin from pharmacies at prices ranging between 25 and 35 shekels ($8.5 and $12) per pen. However, the war and subsequent restrictions have drastically changed this.

The price of a single insulin pen has risen to between 75 and 100 shekels ($25 and $34), and Hamza needs six to seven pens per month. This has forced him to extend the use of each pen for as long as possible.

The scarcity of insulin is not the only challenge. The shortage of glucose meters and test strips has also created an unstable medical reality. Medicines that may have been stored for long periods or in improper conditions sometimes appear on the market, raising concerns about their effectiveness and quality.

The Perilous Balance of Nutrition and Insulin

A year ago, when an Israeli blockade on the entry of food led to a famine in northern Gaza, Hamza was forced to eat anything he could find. However, for someone with diabetes, securing enough nutrition is not just about survival; it’s about finding the right balance between the insulin he has access to and the food he can find.

If Hamza ate more without sufficient insulin doses, his blood sugar levels could rise dangerously. If he reduced his food intake out of fear of running out of insulin, he could result in severe and potentially fatal hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). “I was afraid for myself during the shelling in northern Gaza,” said Hamza. “We were under siege. If the house was bombed, I might survive under the rubble, but die from low blood sugar. And if I ate without insulin, my sugar could rise dangerously. I was living between two fears all the time.”

The Critical Shortage of Medical Equipment

The shortage of glucose test strips has limited Hamza’s ability to monitor his blood sugar levels daily. Without these strips, the glucose meter becomes useless, forcing some patients to repeatedly buy new devices. Hamza estimates that more than 80 percent of diabetes patients in some areas are unable to test their blood sugar regularly, turning treatment into daily guesswork.

According to data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, between 70,000 and 80,000 diabetes patients in the Palestinian enclave are at risk due to the severe shortage of insulin and test strips, in addition to the collapse of medical follow-up services and poor nutrition. Endocrinology and diabetes specialist Dr. Adli al-Ghouti notes that about 2,500 children in Gaza are living with Type 1 diabetes and are in a highly critical health condition.

The deterioration of insulin quality, the expiration of the stock available in Gaza, and improper storage can all reduce effectiveness, creating a false sense of security while blood sugar levels remain uncontrolled. “Taking an expired dose of insulin may cause significant harm inside the body, while giving a temporary impression of improvement,” Dr. al-Ghouti warned.

In Gaza, diabetes is no longer a condition that can be managed easily. Between the shortage of insulin, a lack of testing tools, rising prices, and deteriorating nutrition, even the simplest aspects of treatment turn into a daily struggle for survival.