By Qais Abu Samra
RAMALLAH (AA) - The Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital in the Gaza Strip has ceased functioning after being attacked by the Israeli military, the Palestinian health minister said on Wednesday.
"The Turkish Friendship Hospital in Gaza has stopped functioning after being shelled by Israeli forces on Monday and Tuesday, and due to a complete depletion of fuel supplies," Mai Alkaila said in a statement.
She said that this hospital is the only facility dedicated to treating cancer patients in the Gaza Strip.
She emphasized serious threats to the lives of 70 cancer patients within the hospital, with approximately 2,000 cancer patients in the Gaza Strip as a whole.
Alkaila further said that the number of hospitals that have stopped functioning due to bombardment and fuel depletion has risen to 16 out of the total 35.
"Al-Shifa Medical Complex will cease its operations in less than 24 hours due to fuel depletion," she added.
This week the Israeli army expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise offensive against Israel on Oct. 7.
Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have repeatedly targeted hospitals, residences, mosques, and churches. Under the Geneva Convention, attacks on hospitals are strictly prohibited.
More than 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict since then – 8,525 Palestinians, including 3,542 children, and 1,538 Israelis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected international calls for a cease-fire.
* Writing by Ziad Aslan in Ankara