By Burak Bir
LONDON (AA) - The Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, the only public hospital for cancer patients in the Gaza Strip, is now out of service due to Israeli attacks and fuel shortage, the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said on Wednesday.
"As of today, the hospital is out of service, as a result of the shortage of fuel and the several attacks that affected the facility. This is the only public hospital for cancer patients in the Gaza Strip, and now dozens of cancer patients’ lives are at serious risk," the MSF said on X.
It added that Israeli authorities continue to prevent the entry of fuel into Gaza, which is essential for powering hospitals. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are also being attacked during this "horrific onslaught," the organization said.
It reiterated "our call to ensure that medical facilities, medical staff and patients are protected, which is an obligation under international humanitarian law."
The non-profit also called for water, food, fuel, medical supplies and adequate humanitarian aid to be urgently allowed into Gaza.
The Israeli army expanded its air and ground attacks this week on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the Palestinian group, Hamas, launched a surprise offensive against Israel on Oct. 7.
The death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has climbed to 8,525, the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave said Tuesday.
More than 1,500 Israelis have been killed in the conflict.