Palestinian doctors treat a prematurely born baby at Al Aqsa Hospital in Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip, Oct 22, 2023. (PHOTO/AP)

GAZA - A Palestinian spokesman announced on Tuesday the "total collapse" of the health system in the Gaza Strip due to power outage and the exhaustion of fuel needed to operate generators in hospitals.

Ashraf Al-Qudra, spokesman for the Gaza-based Health Ministry, told a press conference that Israeli attacks had so far killed 65 medical staff, destroyed 25 ambulances, and made 12 hospitals and 32 health centers in the Palestinian enclave inoperable.

Due to overcrowding in shelter facilities, a lack of clean water, and poor personal hygiene, epidemic diseases have become increasingly prevalent, said a spokesperson

"We fear that more (hospitals and health centers) will be out of service in the coming hours due to the attacks and running out of fuel," said the spokesman.

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The Health Ministry also warned of the possible outbreak of a major epidemic wave in Gaza.

The spokesperson said that up to 3,150 cases of diseases were recorded in a single day after the outbreak of Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct 7, with the most of them reported among children. The diseases included diarrhea, food poisoning, skin symptoms, scabies, and bronchial infections.

Due to overcrowding in shelter facilities, a lack of clean water, and poor personal hygiene, epidemic diseases have become increasingly prevalent, he said.

To prevent the spread of diseases, he called on the international community to provide immediate assistance and restore basic services in Gaza, including water, electricity, and sanitation.

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Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct 7, firing thousands of rockets and infiltrating Israeli territory, where they seized a large number of hostages. To respond, Israel launched massive airstrikes and punitive measures, including a siege on the enclave with supplies of water, electricity, fuel, and other necessities being cut off.

The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has so far killed nearly 5,800 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and more than 1,400 people in Israel.