Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip has turned into a dying institution due to the Israeli bombing targeting it, which caused the destruction of about 90% of its machinery and equipment, amid a sharp escalation in demand for its services as a result of the increased intensity of repeated and systematic Israeli targeting of civilians, and the spread of fires in crowded displacement camps.
Ahmed Radwan, Director of Media at the Civil Defense in Rafah, said that the institution is on the verge of a complete halt, stressing that approximately 90% of the Civil Defense vehicles deployed throughout the Gaza Strip were either destroyed or disabled during the war, while not a single ambulance, vehicle, or piece of equipment has entered the Strip since the start of the ceasefire agreement in October 2025.
According to a report prepared by Al Jazeera’s correspondent directly from the western regions of the city of Khan Yunis, the field scene is becoming more complex due to the combination of two simultaneous factors:
- Israeli targeting of tents and residential apartments has increased by 3 targets per day since the agreement entered into force.
- A recurring wave of fires breaks out in camps for displaced people as a result of residents being forced to use wood, cloth, and plastic to prepare their food and repel insects, in light of the lack of cooking gas and the scarcity of fuel.
One of these fires a few days ago destroyed at least 5 tents in the Roni Street area in Mawasi Khan Yunis, leaving many children injured.
Priority system
Radwan explained that the priority system adopted by the Civil Defense has become a reflection of the fragility of the entire system, as the occupation’s targets rank first, followed by fires and accidents, then medical transport for medical cases and births comes in third place. This forced arrangement means in practice that many calls remain unanswered.
Since the ceasefire, Israeli attacks have resulted in about a thousand martyrs – as Radwan explains – while about 700,000 displaced people live inside Mawasi Khan Yunis and the entire Rafah governorate, turning this narrow geographical spot into the most crowded area in the world in disastrous conditions.
On the other hand, Radwan held the Israeli occupation directly responsible for the paralysis of international organizations within the Gaza Strip, noting that the International Committee of the Red Cross and United Nations organizations do not provide more than 10% of the actual civil defense needs, due to the restrictions and requirements imposed by the occupation on the movement of these institutions and obstructing the entry of their equipment.
Radwan warned that the cessation of civil defense work would mean the loss of hundreds and thousands of lives in displacement camps, at a time when the health system is collapsing and respiratory and skin diseases are spreading among thousands of children. He called on the international community and the mediators guarantor of the ceasefire agreement to pressure Israel to open a safe humanitarian corridor for civil defense vehicles and equipment.
It is noteworthy that reports indicated that the Civil Defense lost more than 48% of its human resources, including a martyr, a prisoner, and a wounded person, in addition to the complete destruction of 14 centers and 56 vehicles that the occupation targeted while performing its duties or at its headquarters, despite carrying civil protection slogans agreed upon with the International Red Cross.