Gaza's Last Cancer Clinic Closed Due to Israeli Airstrikes
Cancer clinic in Gaza forced to shut down following assaults
The European Hospital in Gaza, a critical healthcare facility that served as the last resort for vital heart and cancer treatments in the region, is now out of service after sustaining severe damage from Israeli airstrikes on May 13. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, this devastating incident occurred in the aftermath of “a precise attack on Hamas terrorists in a command and control center” allegedly situated beneath the hospital [1][2].
The claims made by the Israeli military remain unverified. The closure of the hospital has resulted in the loss of essential services for neurosurgery, heart treatment, and cancer treatment, which are not available elsewhere in Gaza, as stated by the WHO chief [1]. The healthcare system in Gaza needs to be prioritized to ensure its protection and prevent further destruction.
Doctors Without Borders have expressed their concern over the loss of the European Hospital, stating it was among the last lifelines of the devastated healthcare system in Gaza [3]. The Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis has unfortunately encountered a similar fate, also facing Israeli airstrikes on May 13. Israel alleges that Hamas is misusing hospitals in Gaza for terrorist purposes [1].
The situation in Gaza has been tense for months. After a two-month ceasefire, Israel resumed its severe attacks on March 18, 2025. Israel's security cabinet approved an expansion of the offensive and adopted a plan for the “conquest” of the Gaza Strip at the beginning of May. Additionally, since March 2, Israel has blocked humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip [4].
[1] ntv.de
[2] raf/dpa
[3] Doctors Without Borders
[4] Source: ntv.de, raf/dpa
Additional Insights:
Recent analysis of Israeli military footage indicates discrepancies regarding the alleged presence of a Hamas “command and control centre” or tunnel beneath the European Hospital. Some footage suggests the highlighted tunnel was actually located in a nearby school, and no visible damage supporting the claim of an underground infrastructure beneath the hospital was observed [2].
The loss of the European Hospital significantly impacts the region's ability to provide specialized treatments, including cancer and heart care. The destruction can delay or even prevent cancer treatments, resulting in poorer outcomes for patients [2]. The reduction in medical facilities also leads to potential shortages in essential supplies and services for the remaining healthcare providers [2].
The urgent need for humanitarian assistance arises to restore healthcare capabilities in Gaza to help mitigate the consequences of these attacks on essential facilities like the European Hospital.
- The closure of Gaza's critical community facility, the European Hospital, has highlighted the need for a reevaluation of the community policy regarding the protection of healthcare institutions.
- In light of the fact that the hospital served as the only provider of heart and cancer treatments in the region, health policy must prioritize preventing damage to health facilities during war-and-conflicts.
- The loss of essential services for cancer and heart treatments due to the destruction of the European Hospital underscores the importance of health policy in addressing medical-conditions such as cancer.
- The closure of the European Hospital and other healthcare facilities in Gaza, like the Nasser Hospital, could lead to a worsening of health-and-wellness conditions in the region, especially considering the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the area.
