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Israel blocks cancer sufferer from treatment

September 27, 2016 at 2:45 am

A Palestinian woman has been blocked from receiving cancer treatment by Israeli forces who would not let her leave the Gaza Strip, Maan News reports.

On 20 September Nadia al-Bakri, 52, a gender activist in Gaza and chair of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PHCR), was prevented from crossing through the Erez Checkpoint on her way to Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, Tel Aviv, it has emerged.

According to the PHCR, who releases a statement, al-Bakri has previously received Sheba Medical Center various treatments including chemotherapy, operation and radiation in 2009.

According to the statement,

the continued Israeli policy to prevent patients from travelling to receive medical treatment is a flagrant violation of the international humanitarian law, especially as this policy falls within the continued illegal closure imposed on the Gaza Strip that increases the suffering of Palestinian patients, who need advanced medical treatment that is not available in Gaza hospitals.

Al-Bakri has been forced to miss several appointments by Israeli forces. The last time she was able to make the trip was 27 December 2015.

Cancer sufferers like Al-Bakri are unable to receive treatment in local Gaza hospitals as they are prevented from accessing the appropriate equipment.

According to Maan News Israeli forces are yet to comment on the status of Al-Bakri’s case.