Gaza, ALRAY - Israel refused more than half of medical referrals and prevented them of having suitable medication”, World Health Organization (WHO) said. 

The WHO pointed out in its report that Israel approved only 42% of 2,282 applications of referrals of patients from Gaza, while refused 21%. Also 50.7% of patients have not received any responses including 255 children under the age of 18 and 141 aged more than 60. 

The previous reports for the WHO showed that on last April Israel refused 37% of the referral cases including 178 children and 93 elderly. 

According to the report, Gaza patients applied for access through Eretz crossing to get medical treatment in the West Bank and the Palestinian Authority committed to pay the cost of their treatment.

 But Israel as it controlled the crossings identified who enters and who cannot. 

The WHO also explained that some patients went at human rights organizations to help them get access to Eretz crossing; however their application are denied as well. 

The director of physicians for human rights, Ran Gollshtin said “the way the Israeli occupation deals with patients of Gaza must be changed.” 

Adding that delaying the response for patients in serious condition is a barbaric crime.