Injured and sick Palestinians in Gaza hold demonstration on Sunday to call for border crossings to be opened so they can be urgently evacuated abroad for medical treatment, Anadolu reports.
Dozens of wounded and ill Palestinians gathered in the courtyard of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, demanding access to treatment outside the enclave.
Some waited in wheelchairs or with crutches from the early morning hours, while others sat on the ground under the scorching sun.
The patients and wounded appealed to international organizations and mediator countries supporting the ceasefire agreement, urging them to help open the crossings and ensure urgent medical evacuations.
Injured Palestinian Abdul Rahman Ashraf Abu Shawish said the World Health Organization contacted him in April and informed him of a planned travel date to Egypt for treatment.
READ: 300 Palestinian children killed since Gaza ceasefire, UNICEF Says
He said he was shocked when his departure was blocked just one day before the scheduled trip, adding that Israel had prevented him from traveling on security grounds.
Abu Shawish said he could not understand why his name had been rejected, stressing that he was wounded and needed surgery.
Another wounded Palestinian, Saed Imad al-Khatib, said he had lost his right hand and was also suffering from digestive system problems.
He said he joined the sit-in to demand his right to leave Gaza for treatment, adding that many wounded Palestinians had amputations and medical referrals but were still unable to travel.
Maysar Abu Rujaila said she lost her husband and children during the war and was now alone, wounded and without anyone to care for her.
Gaza’s health sector is facing a severe crisis due to destruction caused by the war. Many hospitals and health facilities have been damaged or destroyed, while restrictions on entry into the enclave have led to shortages of medicine, medical supplies and fuel.
Wounded Palestinians are demanding permission to cross into Egypt to receive treatment required by their medical conditions.
READ: Israeli forces kill Palestinian in Gaza, wound 9 including 4 children
