Israels attacks on Gaza fertility clinics cause widespread devastation and heartbreak

Gaza’s Reproductive Health System Severely Damaged in Israeli Conflict

A devastating impact on Gaza’s reproductive health system has been reported, with 90% of fertility clinics destroyed by Israeli strikes. The attacks have left many Palestinians without access to essential healthcare services.

According to medical officials, nine out of ten fertility clinics in the territory have been targeted and damaged or destroyed. This has resulted in the loss of embryos and reproductive material, leaving couples without hope for future generations.

The Gaza Ministry of Health reported a 41% decrease in births in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous three years. The decline is attributed to the destruction of fertility clinics, as well as Israel’s blockade on medical supplies and food, which has further exacerbated the situation.

Rights advocates have condemned the attacks on reproductive health facilities, stating that they are a textbook example of genocidal policies. The United Nations has classified such measures as “imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group,” one of five acts it considers genocidal.

The UN Commission of Inquiry found that Israel had engaged in four of these acts during its war on Gaza, including efforts to prevent births. The commission concluded that the destruction of a fertility clinic was a measure intended to prevent births among Palestinians in Gaza.

Fertility doctor Abdel Nasser al-Kalhout expressed hope for resuming his work once conditions allow it. “We hope that after the war ends, we can start again, restoring hope for people who lost their embryos and for the couples whose treatment began but couldn’t continue because of the war,” he said.

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with many facing significant challenges in accessing essential healthcare services.

Source: Al Jazeera