The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the Israeli occupation forces' destruction of the Turkish Friendship Hospital in central Gaza as a blatant war crime and a further escalation in the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people. In a statement released on Saturday, the ministry accused Israel of systematically targeting healthcare infrastructure, including hospitals, medical centres, and healthcare workers, as part of a broader strategy to weaponise starvation, deprivation of medical care, and the denial of basic human rights.  

The ministry highlighted that the international community’s continued silence and inaction have effectively enabled the genocide to persist. It called for urgent and decisive international intervention to halt the violence and protect the rights and lives of the Palestinian people.  

On Friday, Israeli forces destroyed the Turkish Friendship Hospital, the sole facility in Gaza dedicated to treating cancer patients. Footage shared on social media showed Israeli soldiers detonating explosives within the hospital complex, located south of Gaza City.  

Since the start of Israel’s military offensive on October 7, 2023, the healthcare system in Gaza has faced relentless attacks, including the bombing of hospitals, the killing and detention of medical staff, and the blockade of essential medical supplies. The Palestinian Ministry of Health has warned that Gaza’s healthcare system is nearing total collapse, with over 80% of hospitals and medical centres rendered non-functional.  

The destruction of the Turkish Friendship Hospital marks yet another devastating blow to Gaza’s already crippled medical infrastructure, leaving thousands of vulnerable patients, including cancer sufferers, without access to life-saving treatment. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry’s statement underscores the urgent need for accountability and international action to end the violence and protect civilian lives.