In the midst of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, thousands of cancer patients are facing a devastating reality – unable to access the critical medical care they desperately need. As the war rages on, these vulnerable individuals are trapped, cut off from the essential treatments that could save their lives.
One such patient is 18-month-old Ismail Abu Naji, whose body is covered in painful, swollen lesions due to a rare blood cancer. Before the war, his family had arranged for him to receive specialized care at a hospital in Jerusalem, but the blockade imposed by Israel has prevented him from leaving the Gaza Strip. Now, Ismail’s mother, Aya Mohammed Abu Hani, can only try to ease his suffering by gently dabbing his wounds with a cloth soaked in salt water.
“Ismail’s life before the war was already difficult, and it has become even harsher since. He cannot sleep due to severe pain, high fever and cries constantly,” Aya told The Guardian. “We were displaced many times from one place to another, which worsened his condition. I could not even provide him with enough clothing. Before the war, hospitals were able to offer antibiotics and painkillers. But now, they can’t even provide a single painkiller.”
The situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire for cancer patients, with the healthcare system reduced to ruin by Israeli airstrikes. In March 2025, Israel destroyed Gaza’s only specialized cancer treatment hospital, leaving doctors to operate in makeshift clinics with limited resources. Dr. Saleh Sheikh al-Eid, a specialist in haematology and oncology, says that even basic diagnostic tools like biopsy needles are now unavailable, resulting in many patients dying without a proper diagnosis or treatment.
The pain and uncertainty of living with a cancer diagnosis is exacerbated by the constant threat of violence. Fathiya Abu Frieh, a 65-year-old woman with uterine cancer, has been living in a tent since the start of the war. She lost her granddaughter in an Israeli bombardment, a tragedy that haunts her daily. “As a short while ago, I lost consciousness because I had nothing to eat for breakfast,” she says. “The treatment I am currently receiving is nothing more than an anaesthetic injection – just enough to keep me alive.”
Despite recent ceasefire agreements, essential medical supplies remain restricted, and the evacuation of critically ill patients to hospitals outside of Gaza has become nearly impossible. The Israeli NGO Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) says that since the closure of the Rafah crossing in May 2024, evacuation routes to third countries have become “near impossible” to operate.
The situation is a clear violation of international law, as Israel is legally obligated to ensure access to medical care for populations under its effective control. PHRI and partner organizations have filed a petition to the Israeli High Court of Justice, demanding the immediate reinstatement of medical evacuations for critically ill patients from Gaza.
The human cost of this crisis is staggering. According to UN figures, there are more than 11,000 cancer patients in Gaza requiring treatment outside the territory, and the World Health Organization says that 900 people, including children and cancer patients, have already died while waiting for evacuation.
The story of Dr. Nour El-Din Abu Ajwa, a Palestinian cancer patient who was finally allowed to leave Gaza for treatment in the West Bank after a prolonged legal battle, offers a glimmer of hope. However, his case serves as a stark reminder of the immense obstacles that cancer patients in Gaza face in their fight for survival.
“I hope I will be the first of thousands of cancer patients in Gaza who will be allowed to travel and receive proper treatment,” Dr. Abu Ajwa said. “I hope I am the one who opened the door for many to be treated as a human being.”
As the conflict in Gaza continues, the plight of these cancer patients remains a harrowing testament to the devastating human toll of this ongoing crisis. Their stories demand urgent action and a renewed commitment to providing essential medical care, regardless of political or security considerations.
