Leadership Council for Human Rights

~ Feet in the mud, head in the sky ~

Monday, May 12, 2008

Egypt opens Gaza border for sick and wounded

The Egyptian government opened the Rafah border crossing Saturday to allow hundreds of Palestinians to leave Gaza for much-needed medical treatment, Agence France-Presse reported the same day.

Five-hundred fifty patients, including 200 wounded in Israeli military operations and 70 children under the age of 16, were set to be transported across the border by Palestinian ambulances, and in some instances trucks.

The brief border opening comes as a great respite for many Palestinians. Since Hamas seized control of Gaza nearly a year ago, Israel has let very little humanitarian aid make it inside the beleaguered area, preventing many ill Palestinians from receiving any treatment.

“We hope Rafah will stay open like before. The health situation in Gaza is very serious. There is no medicine, nothing,” said Mufid Habush, a man waiting at the crossing with his five-year-old daughter, who is due to have an operation in Egypt.

For the full article, click here.

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