Cancer hospital in Gaza shuts down after fuel runs out
Many hospitals are starting to shut down in Gaza through having no fuel for generators.
The most recent one is a cancer hospital called the Turkish-Palestinian friendship hospital whose officials confirmed on November 1st that it had run out of fuel, according to Reuters.
During a press conference aired by Al Jazeera TV, the director of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship hospital confirmed that the hospital, which mainly treats cancer patients, had used up its fuel and was now out of service.
“We tell the world don’t leave cancer patients to a certain death due to the hospital being out of service,” the director, Subhi Skaik, added.
Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila confirmed the director’s remarks in a statement, adding that this brings the total number of hospitals not operating right now in the Strip to 16 out of 35.
“The lives of 70 cancer patients inside the hospital are seriously threatened,” she said in a statement.
“The number of cancer patients in the Gaza Strip is about 2,000 living in catastrophic health conditions as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Strip and the displacement of a large number,” al-Kaila added.
The UN warned the following day that hospitals cannot be part of combat.
“Turkish Palestinian Friendship Hospital in Gaza City reportedly ran out of fuel yesterday and was forced to stop most of its activities rendering 70 cancer patients and serious risks,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
“I think this just only underscores a tragic humanitarian situation,” he said, noting the need to allow fuel into Gaza.
“Hospitals cannot be evacuated and moved, he said. “It also yet another reminder of the fact that hospitals cannot be part of any combat.”
The death toll in Gaza reached 8,796 Palestinians, including 3,648 children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled enclave.
Reuters/Anadoula Agency
