The planned reopening is expected to improve access to childbirth care for families in central Gaza, where damaged healthcare infrastructure continues to place pressure on medical facilities.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza is preparing to resume maternity services following the completion of rehabilitation work in its maternity building, marking an important step toward restoring essential healthcare for expectant mothers.

The Gaza Health Ministry announced that maternity services were scheduled to return to the hospital on October 26. During the temporary relocation, childbirth services were provided at Al-Awda Hospital as medical teams worked to reorganise healthcare operations and rehabilitate the maternity department.

The move is intended to help the hospital restore its maternity capacity while making additional inpatient beds available for surgical patients.

Temporary Relocation Helped Maintain Childbirth Care

The transfer of maternity services to Al-Awda Hospital was part of an emergency arrangement designed to maintain access to childbirth care while resources and hospital capacity were being managed under difficult conditions.

Medical staff at Al-Awda continued providing maternity services throughout the relocation period. Their work helped maintain care for pregnant women and mothers during a period when Gaza’s healthcare facilities have faced considerable operational pressure.

The Gaza Health Ministry acknowledged the efforts of the hospital’s medical and administrative teams, highlighting the importance of coordination between healthcare facilities when services must be moved temporarily.

Rehabilitation Supports a Wider Healthcare Recovery

The refurbishment of the maternity building received support from the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), according to the announcement.

Restoring maternity facilities is particularly important in a region where families depend on hospitals for safe deliveries, emergency obstetric treatment and care for newborns. The availability of appropriate medical spaces and trained staff can make a critical difference when complications arise during pregnancy or childbirth.

However, reopening a department does not by itself resolve the wider challenges facing Gaza’s health system. Hospitals continue to contend with shortages of essential supplies, equipment, fuel and reliable electricity, alongside substantial demand for medical treatment.

Continued Support Will Be Essential

The planned restoration of maternity services represents a practical improvement for residents of central Gaza, provided the department can operate consistently and maintain access to necessary medical resources.

The hospital’s ability to sustain services will depend on staffing, equipment, medicine supplies and the reliability of essential utilities. Continued humanitarian assistance and coordination among healthcare providers will remain important for pregnant women, newborns and other patients who require specialised treatment.

For families in central Gaza, the return of maternity services offers the prospect of more accessible childbirth care. The longer-term impact will depend on whether the hospital can maintain operations amid the continuing strain on the territory’s healthcare infrastructure.