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Al Jazeera

Gaza's Devastated Health System Leaves Palestinians Trapped Without Access to Life-Saving Care

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Rasha Abu Sbeaka, a Palestinian cancer patient, narrowly survived Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, but two years later, she remains trapped without access to the medical care she needs to survive. Abu Sbeaka's situation is a stark example of the devastating impact of Israel's war on Gaza's health system, leaving thousands of Palestinians without access to life-saving care.

Palestinian cancer patient Rasha Abu Sbeaka is one of many who are unable to access medical care due to Israel's destruction of Gaza's health system and ongoing closure of crossings. Abu Sbeaka believes her cancer was caused by emissions released during the constant bombing and rocket fire, and she is now struggling to access treatment due to the damage to Gaza's health system. "I often struggle to breathe," she said. Her predicament has taken a major toll on her mental wellbeing, as she struggles to find a path to secure treatment and overcome the disease.

Despite small numbers of patients being evacuated for medical treatment under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO), the numbers being evacuated are just a tiny fraction of the 15,000 patients requiring evacuation, including 3,800 children. Rasha Abu Sbeaka is desperate to be evacuated from Gaza for treatment and is determined to beat the disease, "provided that they hurry up and open the crossings, so we can travel abroad and get the treatment we need to recover quickly".

Key Takeaways:

  • Rasha Abu Sbeaka, a Palestinian cancer patient, narrowly survived Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, but remains trapped without access to the medical care she needs to survive.
  • Gaza's health system has been severely damaged by Israel's war, leaving thousands of Palestinians without access to life-saving care.
  • Rasha Abu Sbeaka believes her cancer was caused by emissions released during the constant bombing and rocket fire.
  • A small number of patients have been evacuated for medical treatment under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO), but this is a tiny fraction of the 15,000 patients requiring evacuation.
  • Palestinian prisoner Mervat Sarhan was subjected to beatings, electric shocks, and threats to kill her children during interrogations in Israeli custody.
  • Many of the released Palestinians showed signs of torture and abuse, with some appearing to have been blindfolded and executed by Israeli forces.

Statistics:

  • 15,000 patients in Gaza require medical evacuation, including 3,800 children (WHO)
  • 41 patients were evacuated on Thursday under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO)
  • The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt remains closed despite the ceasefire stipulating that it would open for the movement of people
  • Israel has destroyed Gaza's medical sector, making it impossible for Rasha Abu Sbeaka to access the care she needs to survive

Sources:

  • Al Jazeera: "Live Israeli attacks across Gaza threaten ceasefire, one Palestinian dead" (October 26, 2025)
  • Al Jazeera: "What we know about the torture, abuse of Palestinian prisoners by Israel" (October 23, 2025)
  • World Health Organization: (No date available)

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