This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
Fewer patients were given travel permission to visit Israeli, West Bank and Jerusalem hospitals. The level represents half the early 2006 level. Certain categories were excluded altogether, including blind patients, those with amputated limbs, and others Israel won't qualify as needing urgent treatment.
Under complicated bureaucratic procedures, 46 international journalists, 93 diplomats, and 548 international humanitarian organization workers entered after several days of delay.
Business people endured five border crossing closures. During the 26 open, 2,300 traders were let in. It represents half the June 2007 level.
For over 56 months, families of about 500 Gazans detained in Israeli prisons were prevented from visiting loved ones. No rational reasons were given. Doing so violates Fourth Geneva's Article 116, stating:
"Every internee shall be allowed to receive visitors, especially near relatives, at regular intervals and as frequently as possible. As far as is possible, internees shall be permitted to visit their homes in urgent cases, particularly in cases of death or serious illness of relatives."
Rafah International Crossing Point conditions improved. About 15,760 entered Egypt. Another 774 returned. Palestinian males aged 18 to 40 are prohibited traveling either way. Opened five days a week, it's closed on weekends and official holidays.
Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing handles pedestrian traffic. Israel closed it with few exceptions. They include patients with serious illnesses, Arabs with Israeli IDs, international journalists, international humanitarian organization employees, businesspeople, and persons traveling via al-Karama crossing. Even they endure burdensome delays.
Gaza's siege is illegal. Isolation this long represents cruel and unusual collective punishment. Pressure's vital to end it entirely, including for seaborne entry. Israel maintains it repressively, despite serving no useful purpose.
As a result, 1.7 million Gazans endure severe hardships. They're suffocating because too few vital to life supplies enter. Others remain at Israel's whim to curtail or cut off entry entirely for any reason or none at all. This must end.
Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
