United Nations Report on Gaza

The United Nation Health Organization has issued a report about the deterioration of the health conditions of Palestinians in Gaza due to the shortage of medical equipments and drugs.

More than 1100 patients apply each month to enter Israel through the Hanoun border gate for health treatment, and more than 1/5 of them are turned down.

It has been reported that 27 Palestinian patients have died during 2009 while waiting to exit Gaza for medical treatment.

The Report also stated that the embargo imposed by Israel led to the severance of health sectors in Gaza with health outlets.

Furthermore, the UN Report has warned that the economic sector has deteriorated badly in Gaza since the Israeli invasion. Unemployment has reached 41.5% and poverty 70%.

In addition to the above, fresh water is also scarce, and what is available is badly contaminated.

The Gaza disastrous situation is attributed to the invasion and embargo imposed by Israel with the US government’s blessing.

It is unfortunate that the Egyptian government is cooperating with the policy of embargo imposed by Israel and the US.

Recently, the Egyptian government began the building of an underground eighteen feet deep steel wall. It took this action to prevent the Palestinians from digging underground tunnels. The tunnels were used to smuggle goods and arms from the Egyptian
side into Gaza. The Palestinians denied this.

Several Egyptian private business companies are participating in the building of the wall, such as the Egyptian Steel and Iron Industry, and the Arab Contractors.

In order to make large profits, those companies have selfishly disregarded Egypt long-range national interest.

The Israeli Human Right B’Tselem joined six other Middle Eastern peace and human right organizations signied a letter sent to president Obama, urging him to demand the lifting of the embargo in order to relieve the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.

Let us hope that President Obama takes a firm stand and respond positively to lift this shameful IRON CAGE imposed on Gaza.