Behind the headlines: Gaza's silent cancer emergency

With the war on Gaza nearing its 20-month mark, the territory’s entire cancer care system has collapsed. The last two functioning cancer hospitals in the Strip are now out of service, leaving 11,000 patients without access to treatment. With 64% of cancer drugs out of stock and chemotherapy services halted, 5,000 patients urgently need care abroad, but 91% of evacuation requests are denied. Cancer already accounts for 15.1% of deaths in Gaza. Now, diagnoses are missed, treatments are suspended, and even the 122 children newly diagnosed each year are left to suffer without care. The Ministry of Health warns of “catastrophic conditions” and continues to appeal for international intervention, before more lives are lost to preventable death.