Minister Koca emphasized on his social media account that the international community has to make a choice between knowingly leaving patients for dead and saving their lives.
Minister Koca noted the following in his statement:
"The Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital operating in Gaza had to completely cease its operations yesterday as a result of running out of fuel and the ongoing attacks of Israel. Despite all our warnings and calls to the relevant institutions and the international community!
As Türkiye, we are ready to provide all the support for the continuation of the treatment of cancer patients who were forcibly discharged from the hospital because there were no available means, and for the transfer of other pediatric and adult intensive care patients in Gaza, who are in need and deemed medically fit, to Türkiye as soon as possible, by providing the necessary coordination. "
Koca underlined that they expect the international community and relevant institutions to respond to Türkiye's call and take action as soon as possible and stated that the international community and relevant institutions did not make sufficient attempts to prevent the attacks on the hospital.
He added, "Now, saving the lives of the patients is an inevitable duty. The only option other than saving the lives of patients is to knowingly leave the patients for dead. Is there anyone who says ‘I can take responsibility for this.'”