Health in Gaza: Occupation obstructs patient travel, 20,000 cases await treatment abroad

Medical sources in the Gaza Strip reported the cancellation of scheduled treatment trips for a number of patients on Sunday, due to the Israeli occupation authorities' intransigence in granting the necessary security permits for departure through the crossings. The Ministry of Health clarified that these measures come within the context of tightening the medical blockade on the population, depriving hundreds of injured people and those with chronic diseases from accessing specialized hospitals outside the Strip.

The Ministry stated in an official declaration that the systematic obstacles imposed by the occupation include reducing the number of travelers to the lowest levels, as well as deliberate procrastination in responding to requests for long periods that may exceed several months. This delay often leads to a serious deterioration in the health condition of patients, making their chances of treatment later slim or impossible due to the lack of medical capabilities within Gaza.

Regarding the latest statistics, sources revealed a huge gap between actual needs and granted approvals, as urgent requests were submitted for about 70 cases classified as 'life-saving' in recent weeks, but the occupation only allowed 5 cases to depart. Official estimates indicate that the total number of patients waiting for their turn to travel and receive necessary treatment has reached approximately 20,000 patients.

The Ministry of Health launched an urgent appeal to the international community, UN organizations, and human rights organizations, demanding the necessity of exerting real pressure on the occupation authorities to lift restrictions on patient movement. The Ministry stressed the importance of accelerating travel procedures for critical cases that cannot tolerate postponement, warning of the repercussions of continued closure of crossings in the face of humanitarian cases whose right to access healthcare is guaranteed by international laws.

We reiterate our demand to international bodies and UN organizations to exert urgent pressure and intervention; with the aim of increasing the number of patients allowed to travel and reducing waiting periods.