Israel’s blockade on Gaza: The cost of delayed medical evacuation

In February 2026, Iktimal sensed that something was wrong and underwent a biopsy. Because of shortages of essential supplies in Gaza’s diagnostic laboratories, her diagnosis was delayed for more than a month. When the results finally arrived, she was diagnosed with cancer.

In April, she underwent surgery to remove her uterus. Her recovery was extremely painful and slow, and unfortunately, her condition worsened. She and her family had been living in a makeshift shelter in Khan Younis since Israeli forces destroyed their home in Rafah, making recovery even more difficult. Complications affected her kidneys, requiring another procedure, but doctors were still unable to improve her condition.

Israel’s blockade has long affected the Palestinian healthcare system, preventing its development and denying permits to medical professionals to exit Gaza and participate in specialist training, conferences and other professional development opportunities.

Israel’s genocide has only exacerbated this. Around half of Gaza’s hospitals are only partially functioning and Israeli authorities continue to restrict the entry of equipment and materials needed to rebuild buildings that once housed wards, surgical theatres, examination rooms and much more. The remaining hospitals are completely non-functional.

For decades, Israel has also imposed a discriminatory permit regime on Gaza, controlling who can leave. Patients must apply to Israeli authorities for permission to travel for treatment, and there’s no guarantee of a response. Permits can be delayed, denied, or simply left unanswered until the hospital appointment has passed.

Iktimal’s family applied for a permit so she could receive treatment outside Gaza. The process was slow and unclear. Although her family was asked to provide two possible companions, only one was eventually approved, without the family being properly informed for months.

By the time her permit was approved, her condition had become critical. Still, she remained hopeful that she would finally receive the treatment she needed in Egypt.

Summer’s aunt arrived in Egypt in August, more than six months after she first sought medical attention.

Just two weeks later, she passed away.

“I was devastated when I learned that my aunt had died. But her death also made me think about how many people from Gaza have gone through the same journey – leaving their homes in search of medical care, treatment, and safety, only to become uncounted casualties somewhere else.

Iktimal, like so many others, left Gaza because she needed medical care that was not available to her here. She left hoping to survive. She left believing that reaching a hospital outside Gaza would give her another chance. Instead, she died far from her family, after months of waiting, pain, uncertainty, and a medical evacuation process that came too late.

She should have been able to receive a quick diagnosis.

She should have been able to receive the treatment her cancer required.

She should not have had to spend months waiting for permission to leave while she became more and more ill.

And most of all, she should have had the chance to return home.

Her name, her suffering, and her story should not become another number.

Iktimal, was 53 years old. She was a devoted wife and a loving mother to five sons and three daughters. She was a high-spirited woman who, despite everything life put her through, always managed to keep a smile on her face. She was joyful, warm, and fun to be around – the life of every family gathering.

I wish she had never been forced to choose between staying in Gaza without the treatment she needed and leaving her family in the hope of finding it elsewhere.”

Iktimal passed away in September 2026 from complications related to cervical cancer. Her death was not only the result of illness, but also of delays and barriers that prevented her from receiving timely medical care

Her final words were:

“I wish I stayed among you.”