Cancer patients in Gaza begging for help

RAFAH - The problem with obtaining treatment and the lack of medication continue to plague the Palestinians in Gaza since the Hamas-Israel conflict broke out in October last year.

A Palestinian refugee, Hani Khalil Naeem, 52, who is a cancer patient, said he previously received treatment at several hospitals, including the Al-Mutala' Hospital in Jerusalem and the Istishari Hospital in Ramallah, but now, his life is in danger due to the discontinuation of treatments.

"I was supposed to undergo treatment on Nov 20, but the Israeli army has prevented movements between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank," he told the Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA).

"As a result, thousands of Palestinians like me who are sick have to suffer.”

Hani, who is taking refuge at a school in Rafah, said the crowded shelter and its dirty environment had caused his health condition to deteriorate.

"Our lives are threatened. Not only by the Zionist regime but also by the delays in getting treatment or worse, no access to treatment and medication at all.

"My immunity is getting weaker. I don't know how long I can survive. Any health problem will be a threat to my life."

Hani said he had already made an application to seek treatment abroad either in Turkey, Egypt or any other country, but it required approval from the Israeli army.

For Ramez, who lost his brother to cancer, they could not do anything as access was determined by the Israelis.

The situation is made worse as the Israeli army seems to be deliberately delaying crossing permissions.

"My brother died before he could receive treatment," he said.

According to him, his elder brother, Taha Oqasha, 58, a father of four, only managed to get three doses of injections for his illness at the Turkish Hospital in the central zone of the Gaza Strip before fleeing with his family to Rafah at the beginning of the conflict.

According to sources from the Palestinian Red Crescent Agency, there are approximately 64,000 people injured in the war who need treatment either in the northern Palestinian territories or abroad. - BERNAMA-WAFA