At least 2,027 Palestinian patients in Gaza have died while waiting for medical treatment or evacuation abroad, amid continued Israeli restrictions on border crossings, according to Gaza's Medical Relief Director, Mohammed Abu Afash.

More than 21,000 patients urgently require treatment unavailable in the devastated Strip, while no patients have been evacuated through Rafah Crossing for over five days.

Abu Afash warned that delays are worsening conditions for cancer, kidney failure and heart disease patients, as Gaza's healthcare system faces severe shortages of medicines, medical equipment and diagnostic services.

He added that the number of functioning healthcare centers has fallen from 574 to just 227, leaving thousands without adequate medical care.