Gaza, September 12 (QNA) - A Palestinian government report has revealed that the number of natural deaths in the Gaza Strip during the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Strip increased by six and a half times, compared to the number of natural deaths in the years preceding the aggression.

According to the report, the increase in the number of natural deaths came as a result of the unprecedented aggression on the Strip that has been ongoing since October 7, which led to the collapse of the health system and putting hospitals out of service, in addition to the severe shortage of medicines due to the occupation preventing their entry.

The report noted that the occupation forces put 34 hospitals and 80 health centers out of service, and targeted 162 health institutions, which prevented the provision of appropriate health care to patients, especially those suffering from chronic diseases, whose number is estimated at 350 thousand people.

It pointed out that the closure of the crossings of the Gaza Strip by the Israeli occupation forces, especially the Rafah crossing, led to the deterioration of the health conditions of patients who need treatment abroad, whose number is estimated at three thousand patients, which increased the number of deaths among them.

The government report warned that 10,000 cancer patients in the Gaza Strip are fighting for their lives due to lack of treatment.

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor reported that its estimates show that there are at least 51,000 deaths resulting from the Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip, which has led to the deprivation of medical care and the collapse of the health sector due to targeting and blockade. (QNA)