46 occupation authorities refused to grant exit permits from Gaza reached about (664), causing the death of a number of them.33 Travel permit applications for many of the patients were refused or delayed by the Israeli authorities, which resulted in missing treatment sessions for the majority of them. For example, chemotherapy and radiation is not available in the Gaza Strip because it was prevented by the occupation authorities and the strict siege imposed on Gaza. This is in addition to the deteriorating conditions of health facilities, especially after being targeted by the Israeli occupation forces in the recent aggression, with the complete or partial destruction of many of them. Furthermore, the security ban also prevents Palestinian patients from the possibility of receiving medical treatment in Israeli hospitals, or allowing them to travel for treatment elsewhere, all under the pretext of security reasons. The health situation in the Gaza Strip also suffers from shortages of medicine and medical equipment. The General Administration of Pharmacy at the Palestinian Ministry of Health announced it was completely running out of (110) types of drugs from its warehouses, adding that (76) more types will run out within three months. This coincides with the deterioration of health services for (1.5) million civilian residents, especially in the wake of the massive destruction wrought by the Israeli occupation forces to the health facilities during its recent aggression on the Gaza Strip and the continued siege. This has continuously impeded the safe passage of construction materials needed for the reconstruction of those facilities, or the continuous flow of shipments of drugs to hospitals and health centers and facilities in Gaza. Doctors Without Borders (Medicins Sans Frontieres) noted that (200) specialized medical supplies remain permanently unavailable at inventory, such as certain children's medicines or specific treatments for anemia or hemophilia. There are approximately (1,200) people with amputated limbs waiting for their turn to be fitted for a prosthesis or additional aid.34 The frequent power outages and the shortage of fuel needed to run power generators in the hospitals have impeded the functioning of the intensive care units, operating theaters and emergency rooms. And the shortage of energy in 33 34 http://www.moh.ps/?lang=0&page=3&id=352 For more information, see MSF’s website: htpp://www.msf‐me.org/ar/mission/in‐the‐field/voice‐from‐ the‐field/ mission‐13.html