2009-04-17

Gaza patients protest as death chasing them

from The Palestine Telegraph

Dozens of Palestinian patients who need urgent medical treatment demonstrated Thursday at the closed Rafah border crossing between Gaza Strip and Egypt. 

The Palestinian patients and dozens of ambulances gathered near the gate of the crossing calling on the Egyptian authorities to reopen the crossing which has been closed for more than two months. 

Rafah crossing was completely closed  after the Hamas movement took control of Gaza by force in mid-June 2007. Right after Hamas took control of the enclave, European inspectors also left the crossing. 

Egypt has frequently opened the crossing for two or three days for humanitarian reasons to allow patients who need medical treatment abroad, and students who study in Arab and foreign universities to leave. 

Egypt insists that it will only open the crossing if Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reach an agreement to operate the crossing in accordance with the 2005 agreement. 

The demonstrators waved flags and held banners of "we call on Egypt to save our lives," "we call on all parties to avoid Rafah crossing from the political disputes," "please help us to get our proper medical treatment." 

Israel had closed down all crossings with the Gaza Strip after Hamas took control of the enclave and routed Abbas security forces. Israel also reopens the crossings on rare occasions for humanitarian aids and supplies.

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