4 to 5 cancer patients die daily in Gaza due to blockade and genocide

The Gaza Center for Human Rights warned of an unprecedented rise in cancer patient deaths in Gaza, reporting 4-5 deaths daily, about 4,000 patients facing death, a 50% shortage in medicines, and a loss of 70% of supplies. It confirmed that 1,400 patients died while waiting for travel permits, and called for opening crossings, facilitating patient travel, and establishing an international mechanism to monitor medical evacuation.

The Gaza Center for Human Rights warned of an unprecedented rise in death rates among cancer patients in the Gaza Strip, amid the near-total collapse of the health system, the halt of chemotherapy and radiotherapy services, and continued Israeli restrictions on patient travel for treatment outside the Strip. In a press statement, the Center said it is following with great concern the announcement by the director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmiya, regarding the registration of four to five deaths daily among cancer patients deprived of chemotherapy, noting that about 4,000 patients face the risk of death due to lack of treatment, in addition to a shortage exceeding 50% in the list of essential medicines, and the loss of more than 70% of necessary medical supplies. The statement, based on the latest World Health Organization data until the end of December 2025, indicated that the Gaza Strip includes about 12,500 cancer patients of various age groups, with more than 2,000 new cases registered annually, including 122 cases among children, while intravenous chemotherapy sessions and medical follow-up have almost completely stopped since mid-2025. It added that at least 1,400 patients died while waiting for travel approvals for treatment outside the Strip, while thousands of patients remain on medical referral lists waiting for permits to leave Gaza and receive life-saving treatment. The Center pointed out that these numbers reflect only part of the daily suffering experienced by cancer patients and their families, presenting testimonies of patients whose health conditions deteriorated due to lack of treatment and delayed medical approvals, amid a severe shortage of medicines, painkillers, and basic health services. The Gaza Center for Human Rights affirmed that depriving cancer patients of treatment constitutes a violation of Israel's obligations as an occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention, which requires it to secure medical care and supplies for civilian populations, and also constitutes a violation of the right to health guaranteed under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Center considered that the continued deprivation of patients from treatment, with prior knowledge of its deadly consequences, amounts to a war crime and reflects a policy leading to severe suffering and serious harm to health and life. The statement criticized the continued silence of the international community regarding the worsening health crisis in the Gaza Strip, calling for the immediate and sustainable opening of all crossings to bring in chemotherapy and radiotherapy drugs and medical supplies, and facilitating patient travel without restrictions, especially those with approved medical referrals. It also called for establishing an international mechanism to monitor medical evacuation operations and ensure their regularity, and holding accountable those responsible for disrupting them, along with urgent action by the United Nations and international health organizations to support oncology departments in Gaza Strip hospitals. The Center renewed its warning that the continuation of current conditions without urgent international intervention will lead to an increase in deaths among cancer patients, stressing that saving the lives of these patients requires immediate action to ensure access to treatment and medical care without obstacles.