Cancer patients face ‘death’ in Gaza
The ongoing suspension of chemotherapy for cancer patients in Gaza poses a threat to the lives of many since the start of the war on October 7th.
According to Dr. Khaled Thabet, head of the Oncology Department at the Turkish Friendship Hospital for Cancer Treatment in Gaza, 10,000 patients have suffered since the beginning of Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip.
He said that the depletion of fuel at the Turkish Friendship Hospital and the continuous Israeli bombardment led to the displacement of patients and doctors, causing the hospital to completely cease operations.
Some displaced patients were admitted to Dar Al-Salam Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip, which is not an effective refuge for cancer patients. According to “Thabet,” the reason is that the hospital is very small and has a limited number of beds.
In addition, the hospital lacks the capabilities to perform “chemotherapy” due to resource constraints. A consultant in oncology describes the condition of his patients, saying, “Most of the patients in the southern shelters are in very difficult health and living conditions, and a number of patients have been transferred for treatment in Turkey at the expense of the Turkish government.”
Thabet warns of the danger facing cancer patients in the Gaza Strip, as the continued lack of prescribed doses exacerbates the patients’ condition. The medical impact is serious, leading to further deterioration and potential death.
He points out that “chemotherapy” and preparation devices are available at the Turkish hospital, which was besieged and evacuated patients. Consequently, thousands have been deprived of receiving chemotherapy doses.
Thabet concluded, saying, “Thousands of patients need chemotherapy, and hundreds are currently at risk.”
Developments in Gaza Israel and Hamas agreed on a ceasefire in the early hours of Wednesday for a period of 4 days, extendable, during which the Palestinian movement releases 50 of the hostages it holds in the Gaza Strip.
In return, Israel releases 150 Palestinian prisoners in the first tangible step towards de-escalation in the ongoing conflict for a month and a half.
Hamas transferred about 240 individuals, including foreigners and children, to the Gaza Strip during its surprise attack on Israel, according to Israeli authorities. Meanwhile, Israel is holding around seven thousand Palestinians in its prisons, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Club.
