|
Trending Topics
|
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/28/AR2009042800189.html
Sick Gazans Victims of Hamas-Fatah Power Struggle
[AP/Washington Post] Diaa Hadid and Ibrahim Barzak - Hundreds of Palestinian patients have been trapped in Gaza, unable to travel abroad for crucial medical treatment, because of political infighting between Hamas and Fatah. Eight Gazans who were waiting to travel abroad have died since a dispute shut down a medical referral committee that helps sick residents find treatment outside of Gaza, according to the World Health Organization. On March 22, Hamas took control of the Fatah-run medical committee, which referred about 1,000 patients a month with life-threatening illnesses to Israel and Egypt. In response, the West Bank government, which funds medical treatment for Palestinians abroad, froze most patient transfers.