ActionAid International said that 10,000 cancer patients in the Gaza Strip are deprived of access to medicines and treatment, in light of the continuing aggression, the depletion of medical supplies, and the health system reaching the brink of collapse.

The organization indicated in a statement issued today, Wednesday, that the only hospital in Gaza specialized in treating cancer patients, the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, has stopped working since November 1 after it ran out of fuel and was exposed to severe damage due to air strikes.

It pointed out that more than half of Gaza's hospitals were forced to close, while the 14 hospitals that are still able to operate partially are currently operating at more than 200% of their capacity, and are suffering from a severe shortage of medical supplies, fuel, water, and food, in addition to a specialized staff. 

The organization confirmed that this reality had significant effects on cancer patients. For example, patient Amna (52 years old) was diagnosed with uterine and ovarian cancer in 2021, and was receiving treatment at the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital before it closed.

It said in a voice message: “This war on Gaza has destroyed my chance to overcome my illness. The Turkish Friendship Hospital was providing treatment and follow-up to all cancer patients, and despite its modest capabilities, we were able to receive services and treatment, but the hospital building was bombed and destroyed in the war.” 

It continued, that after the Turkish hospital was targeted, the doctors moved to Al-Najjar Hospital, which is a small medical center that suffers from a lack of treatment and equipment, and with this war, things have become worse, and it barely has basic treatment methods, while cancer patients need special care, medicines, and treatments. And special diets.

It added: Despite the urgent need for medical supplies, the amount of humanitarian aid currently allowed into Gaza is shamefully small, and the restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities on some supplies into the Strip prevent the entry of some medicines and vital equipment such as diagnostic devices.

It pointed out that before the aggression, about 20,000 patients applied for a permit to leave Gaza every year, due to their need for specialized health care, as that care is not available within the Strip, and only a very small number of people were allowed to leave Gaza and obtain life-saving treatment in other places, many patients' requests have been rejected.