The Gaza Strip's Directorate General of Pharmacy under the Ministry of Health announced Tuesday that it is halting its services because of a lack of medicine and medical equipment.

Moneer al-Bursh, the Director General of Pharmacy, revealed that there has been a serious shortage in drugs and equipment since the beginning of the year, and that now health services have reached the point of stagnation.

According to al-Bursh, the shortage of medicine and the continuing electricity crisis have created a threat for healthcare in Gaza as a whole.

"We have experienced serious problems since Ramallah's health ministry made a decision to stop supplying the Gaza Strip with medicine. By the end of May, 35 percent of the drugs were consumed," al-Bursh said.

Cancer patients, patients in intensive care and dialysis patients are the most affected by the situation, the Gaza health ministry official said.

Al-Bursh also urged the Ramallah-based authorities to act responsibly in the face of the upcoming healthcare crisis in Gaza.