Israel Won’t Let Red Cross Team into Gaza

Doctors, Nurses Not Allowed to Pass Gaza Crossing

by Jason Ditz, January 04, 2009

With hospitals overwhelmed by the shortage of supplies caused by weeks of on-and-off blockades and the enormous number of casualties, the need for foreign aid workers, in particular doctors, is greater than ever in the Gaza Strip. Why then, is a Red Cross team of doctors and nurses unable to enter the area?

The organization says the team has been waiting at the Erez Crossing for three days now. Initially their entry was denied by the Israeli military, citing security reasons, and while that decision was officially reversed the crossing has been closed ever since, keeping the team unable to provide aid to Gaza’s thousands of wounded.

The Swiss government condemned the move, calling on Israel to immediately reopen all border crossings to allow humanitarian aid into the strip, and urged both sides to respect the provisions of international humanitarian law, including allowing access to the victims of the war.

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