A significant number of U.S. lawmakers are urging the Trump administration to intervene in facilitating medical evacuations from Gaza. This plea comes amid a deteriorating healthcare situation faced by numerous patients in the region.
Concerns for Palestinian Cancer Patients
Recently, over 60 members of Congress have called on Israel to ease restrictions that prevent Palestinian cancer patients in Gaza from receiving necessary medical care in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. The bipartisan group includes prominent lawmakers such as Senators Bernie Sanders and Chris Van Hollen, along with Representatives Madeleine Dean and Greg Casar. Their urgent letter addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio advocates for expediting the medical evacuation of child cancer patients and their caregivers, while also seeking guarantees from Israel for their return to Gaza post-treatment.
Deyar Jamil, a fellow at the human rights organization DAWN, stated that the issue of allowing children with cancer to travel a short distance for vital medical attention should not be contentious. He expressed gratitude towards the Congress members for their commitment to human rights, asserting that such suffering is facilitated by U.S. political support. The urgent need for action has become increasingly evident as the healthcare system in Gaza continues to crumble under the weight of conflict and restrictive policies.
A Collapsing Healthcare System
The United Nations reports that approximately 11,000 cancer patients currently reside in Gaza, a region where Israel’s targeted attacks have decimated healthcare services. A staggering 94% of Gaza’s hospitals have suffered destruction or damage as a result of ongoing conflict since October 2023. One notable instance includes the obliteration of the sole specialized cancer treatment center in the area, the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, in March 2025.
The current healthcare crisis has led to a dramatic increase in cancer mortality rates, with doctors estimating that deaths related to cancer have tripled since the onset of hostilities. The letter from Congress members outlines how the limited medical evacuations that have been authorized fail to meet the urgent needs of patients, as many have died while waiting for necessary approvals. Reports indicate that at least 1,200 individuals lost their lives awaiting evacuation, including a young boy with leukemia who spent his final days in Gaza hoping for treatment elsewhere.
Call for a Medical Corridor
In an effort to address the pressing humanitarian crisis, the lawmakers propose establishing a medical corridor that would facilitate travel from Gaza to other parts of the Palestinian territories. This corridor aims to connect patients to medical facilities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which are ready and equipped to provide essential care, such as radiation treatment. Notably, the Augusta Victoria Hospital and the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem have pledged to cover all relevant costs related to patient care.
The urgency of the situation also calls for assurances regarding the rebuilding of Gaza’s medical infrastructure, which has suffered extensive damage. However, the immediate focus remains on evacuating cancer patients to ensure they receive life-saving treatment, as emphasized in the letter. The only barrier preventing these individuals from accessing the care they desperately need appears to be the Israeli government’s approval for evacuation requests.
As the humanitarian crisis continues to unfold, the actions of U.S. lawmakers serve as a crucial reminder of the need for comprehensive solutions to alleviate the suffering faced by individuals in Gaza.