Nearly 15 Gazan patients have died since the beginning of 2017 after the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) refused to issue them the necessary permits to receive treatment abroad according to human rights statistics on Tuesday.
Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights said in a statement that the illegal measures launched by Israel against Palestinian patients in the Gaza Strip have caused their health conditions to deteriorate.
Patients who need to travel to the West Bank Jerusalem or the 1948 occupied territories are asked to submit requests to receive prior permits by the IOA. They are often denied these permits or blackmailed to get them.
Al-Mezan pointed out that the number of deaths among Gazan patients has increased to 15 after the IOA deprived two women of receiving treatment outside the Gaza Strip.
The Center said that Kaenat Ja’rour 42 a uterine cancer patient and Faten Ahmad 26 who suffered a brain tumor died after the IOA rejected their requests and appeals to obtain permits many times.
According to the human rights center four patients as well as their accompanying relatives were arrested by the IOA at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing despite having the required permits.
Al-Mezan called on the international community to act urgently to stop the ongoing Israeli violations and pressure Israel to lift the blockade imposed on Gaza and let patients travel for treatment.
