Gaza cancer patients face life-threatening treatment delays

#cancer #patients #cancer
Five days into the worst fighting in months between Israel and militant groups in Gaza, concern is mounting about the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory.

It is estimated that more than 200 patients, mostly with cancer, are unable to leave for urgently needed treatment. They include children.

Israel controls two crossings with Gaza - used for people and goods - which have been closed since the start of its military operation on Tuesday.

Operators of the sole power plant in the impoverished strip - which relies on Israeli fuel imports - say it will be forced to close in three days.

A spokesman told the BBC this would "lead to an exacerbation of the humanitarian problems". The plant supplies about half of the electricity in the territory, where some 2.3 million Palestinians live.