Death toll of patients unable to exit Gaza rises to 125

Tuesday April 08, 2008 16:25 by Rami Almeghari - IMEMC & Agencies

The death toll of patients who are unable to get proper medication due to the Israeli closure of Gaza's travel crossings, rose Tuesday to 125 after the passing away of Mohammad Hamdouna, 65.

Hamdouna used to reside in Egypt along with his wife and daughter before he entered Gaza in January 2008.

He has been stranded in Gaza since he entered the coastal strip in January's breach of the Gaza-Egypt border lines, which took place amidst a crippling Israeli closure of all Gaza's crossing points since June of last year.

According to the Gaza-based committee for breaking the Israeli siege, there are hundreds of patients who await permits to exit Gaza for treatment at nearby hospitals.

The committee says that Israel delays movement of such patients, leading to the deterioration of their health conditions or death.

gaza strip | miscellaneous | news report rami at imemc dot org