Gaza medical shortage causes patient deaths amid Israeli blockade

The Gaza Strip health ministry says a severe lack of medicines and medical equipment is leading to regular patient deaths. General director Münir al‑Bursh warned that dialysis supplies, cancer drugs, radiology contrast agents and MRI equipment are "almost completely exhausted" and that limited diagnostic tools are hampering disease investigation.

Al‑Bursh blamed Israel for blocking the entry of essential medical items, noting that of the 20,000 patients needing treatment outside Gaza only 25 have been granted permits. Most hospitals have been rendered non‑operational by the ongoing siege, while the shortage of drugs, fuel and basic health supplies deepens the humanitarian crisis affecting roughly 2.4 million people.