By Mel Frykberg
"RAMALLAH, Jun 16, 2010 (IPS) - Under intense international pressure Israel declared last week that it would ease its crippling blockade on Gaza by permitting an additional but limited number of daily items, including food, into the coastal enclave.
Following Israel’s deadly assault on the Free Gaza (FG) flotilla several weeks ago in international waters, during which nine activists were shot dead and dozens wounded, as the flotilla tried to deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid to the besieged strip, Israeli authorities came under enormous pressure to lift the blockade....
Cecelia Goin from the Red Cross in Jerusalem says that any easing of the blockade is a step in the right direction but there are bigger issues at stake.
"The only way that Gazans will be able to rebuild their lives and livelihoods is for the siege to be lifted completely," Goin told IPS.
"There is currently on average seven hours of power cuts daily. The power cuts pose a serious risk to the treatment of patients – and to their very lives.
"It takes two to three minutes for a generator to begin operating, and during that time electronic devices do not function. As a result, artificial respirators must be reactivated manually, dialysis treatment is disrupted and surgery is suspended as operating theatres are plunged into darkness," says the ICRC.
"Additionally, it took us five months to get permission to bring in a mammograph for Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s main hospital. It took another five months before the Israelis would allow in a dialysis machine, and it took us eight months to bring in spare parts for ambulances," Goin told IPS.
"There is a shortage of essential medicines such as anti-epileptic drugs, and a shortage of medical equipment such as ventilator tubes. More than 110 of the 700 disposable items that should be available are also out of stock. The health situation is critical."......."
"RAMALLAH, Jun 16, 2010 (IPS) - Under intense international pressure Israel declared last week that it would ease its crippling blockade on Gaza by permitting an additional but limited number of daily items, including food, into the coastal enclave.
Following Israel’s deadly assault on the Free Gaza (FG) flotilla several weeks ago in international waters, during which nine activists were shot dead and dozens wounded, as the flotilla tried to deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid to the besieged strip, Israeli authorities came under enormous pressure to lift the blockade....
Cecelia Goin from the Red Cross in Jerusalem says that any easing of the blockade is a step in the right direction but there are bigger issues at stake.
"The only way that Gazans will be able to rebuild their lives and livelihoods is for the siege to be lifted completely," Goin told IPS.
"There is currently on average seven hours of power cuts daily. The power cuts pose a serious risk to the treatment of patients – and to their very lives.
"It takes two to three minutes for a generator to begin operating, and during that time electronic devices do not function. As a result, artificial respirators must be reactivated manually, dialysis treatment is disrupted and surgery is suspended as operating theatres are plunged into darkness," says the ICRC.
"Additionally, it took us five months to get permission to bring in a mammograph for Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s main hospital. It took another five months before the Israelis would allow in a dialysis machine, and it took us eight months to bring in spare parts for ambulances," Goin told IPS.
"There is a shortage of essential medicines such as anti-epileptic drugs, and a shortage of medical equipment such as ventilator tubes. More than 110 of the 700 disposable items that should be available are also out of stock. The health situation is critical."......."
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