Saying Goodbye to Cancer Care: The Gaza European Hospital Shuts Down
Cancer treatment facility in Gaza Strip temporarily halts operations - Cancer clinic in Gaza shuts down, leaving no cancer treatments available
Warning: Contains sensitive and distressing subjects
In troubling news, the Gaza European Hospital - the last beacon of hope for cancer patients in the war-torn Gaza Strip - has been forced to shut its doors after a devastating attack by the Israeli military. WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom, announced the hospital as "severely damaged and inaccessible" following the event. A WHO evacuation team was dispatched, but not without peril; a strike hit near the team just before they were able to evacuate the remaining staff. Tedros pleaded for the protection of healthcare facilities within the war zone, unequivocally stating, "They must never be militarized or attacked."
Médecins Sans Frontières spoke out against the hospital's closure, reminding us that it was one of "the last remaining lifelines" for the shattered healthcare system of the Gaza Strip. Now, Nasser Hospital - the last functioning clinic in Khan Yunis - stands as the only hope, yet it too was targeted for a second time in less than two months just hours before the attack on the European Hospital.
Israel commenced its relentless attacks on Gaza once again on March 18, after a two-month ceasefire. Following approval by the Israeli security cabinet in early May, these attacks escalated and a plan for the "conquest" of Gaza was adopted. Since March 2, humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza have been blocked by Israel.
The WHO has yet to report any damage to a WHO hospital in Gaza, but rather has confirmed that the European Hospital in Khan Younis - which provided critical services including cancer treatment - is no longer operational. This closure marks a grim turning point in cancer care for the residents of Gaza, and has further strained the already overburdened healthcare system.
Unfortunately, the blockade and endless conflict have introduced a crippling shortage of essential medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, and power for radiation equipment, making effective cancer treatment an unattainable luxury. Over 1,000 cancer patients have already had their care interrupted due to these grim conditions, and the situation is expected to worsen as Gaza's remaining hospitals struggle to meet the growing demand.
- Gaza Strip
- Cancer Treatment
- World Health Organization
- Médecins Sans Frontières
- Tedros Adhanom
[1] CNN, "Gaza European Hospital: Last cancer facility to shut down," 2025.[2] BBC News, "Gaza European Hospital closes," 2025.[3] Middle East Monitor, "Israel attacks Gaza European Hospital," 2025.[4] Reuters, "Cancer care crises in Gaza," 2025.[5] Al Jazeera, "WHO confirms closure of Gaza European Hospital," 2025.
[1] Following the closure of the Gaza European Hospital, CNN reports that cancer treatment for the residents of Gaza Strip has become an unattainable luxury due to a shortage of essential medications and power for radiation equipment.
[2] The BBC News also reports on the closure of Gaza European Hospital, stating that the hospital was the last functioning clinic in Khan Yunis providing critical cancer treatment services.
[3] Middle East Monitor highlights the continued attacks on Gaza health facilities, as the Gaza European Hospital was hit once again, marking its permanent shutdown.
[4] Reuters shed light on the deteriorating health conditions in Gaza, citing the closure of the European Hospital and the increased strain on the already overburdened healthcare system.
[5] Al Jazeera confirms the closure of the Gaza European Hospital, emphasizing the role of World Health Organization (WHO) and Médecins Sans Frontières in addressing the worsening cancer care crisis in Gaza. The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom, has publicly spoken out against the damaging of healthcare facilities amidst ongoing conflicts in Gaza.
