Gaza Cancer Crisis Deepens as Doctors Report Sharp Rise in Deaths; Fresh Strikes Kill Two

GAZA/CAIRO — Doctors in Gaza say cancer patients are dying at two to three times the rate recorded before the war, while fresh Israeli strikes on Thursday killed two Palestinians in separate incidents, highlighting the fragility of the territory’s reduced level of fighting.

Medical professionals estimate that approximately 17,000 people with cancer in Gaza now have severely limited access to specialist treatment following the destruction of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, the territory’s principal dedicated cancer facility. The hospital was demolished by Israel in March 2025. Israel said its forces had identified a Hamas tunnel beneath the facility and accused militants of using the site.

Doctors told Reuters that cancer deaths have increased from roughly one or two per day before the war to around three to five daily in the current environment. The comparison is based on local medical assessments and should be attributed accordingly rather than described as an independently audited population-wide mortality rate.

Treatment shortages are a major factor. Doctors say operational hospitals have lost large quantities of essential drugs, diagnostic equipment and specialist personnel.

Medical evacuation is also contentious. Israel’s COGAT agency says it coordinates departures with WHO and that patients must have a formal request from a receiving country and pass required security screening. COGAT said about 5,800 Gazans requiring medical treatment had left for Egypt since a limited reopening of the Rafah crossing in February. Palestinian health officials say approximately 20,000 patients, including 5,000 cancer patients, remain registered for treatment overseas but have not yet been able to leave.

Meanwhile, violence returned Thursday after more than a week without reported fatalities from Israeli strikes. Medics said an Israeli strike in Khan Younis killed one Palestinian travelling on a motorcycle and wounded another. Israel said the target was a Hamas commander preparing an attack. A later drone strike in Gaza City killed police chief Jamal Abu Kmail and critically wounded two others, according to Gaza authorities.

The Gaza health story therefore extends beyond casualties directly caused by military operations. War also affects patients who require uninterrupted chemotherapy, dialysis, heart care, surgery and specialist medicine. When health infrastructure collapses, illnesses that might otherwise be treatable can become life-threatening.

Sources: Gaza doctors and health authorities; Israeli COGAT and military statements; Reuters.