Gaza blockade threatens health of 1.4 million, aid agencies warn

[Scurrilous]

Israeli and Egyptian blockade means nearly one-fifth of requests to leave for treatment are refused or delayed, report says

<snip>

"The health of 1.4 million people is being put at risk by the ongoing Israeli and Egyptian blockade of Gaza, a report by more than 80 humanitarian organisations warned today.

The aid groups, including the World Health Organisation and UN agencies, said more than one-fifth of sick Palestinians who needed to leave the territory for treatment in Israel had either been refused or had their applications delayed. The groups called on Israel and Egypt to open the border crossings with Gaza.

Max Gaylard, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator for the Palestinian territories, said the blockade undermined the local healthcare system and put lives at risk.

"It is causing ongoing deterioration in the social, economic and environmental determinants of health," he said.

"It is hampering the provision of medical supplies and the training of health staff, and it is preventing patients with serious medical conditions from getting timely specialised treatment."

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[Violet_Crumble]

1. The blockade needs to be lifted. It's cruel and inhumane n.t

[Tripmann]

2. And a PR disaster. Despite the best efforts of the Israeli propaganda machine...

..to paint themselves as victims during OCL, the continued siege of gaza cannot be so easily spun away as a necessary action. Its an act of war, a continuous collective punishment action that has decimated sympathy for Israel in the worlds eye. Most of my close friends (well, the ones with an interest in world affairs) will not knowingly buy Israeli products. Ditto for me and my family.