By Maayana Miskin
As operation “Cast Lead” continues, Hamas leaders have complained of substandard medical care in Gaza hospitals, blaming Israel for an alleged shortage of supplies and saying patients have been turned away because hospitals are too full.
On Wednesday, IDF officials involved in dealing with humanitarian cases in Gaza rejected the accusations and said Hamas is responsible for any substandard care given to patients in Gaza. The terror group has withheld supplies from hospitals and refused to transfer the wounded to Israel, they said.
An unprecedented amount of medical aid has been sent to Gaza in recent days, IDF officials said Wednesday, rejecting Hamas' claims of shortages in hospitals. Several trucks filled with medicine, equipment, donated blood and other supplies have entered Gaza via Israeli crossings since Saturday. In addition, several ambulances donated by Turkey, the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority and others were brought to Gaza this week.
"The Gaza hospitals have not collapsed, the international organizations there have not reported a collapse and even say the medical equipment that was brought in has improved the hospitals' efficiency,” a spokesman said. Gaza has plenty of food as well, he said, despite Hamas' claims to the contrary.
IDF officials suggested that Hamas was deliberately manufacturing shortages for its own political purposes. Earlier this year the group was accused of deliberately withholding fuel from Gaza civilians in order to provoke anger against Israel.
Israel Treats Gaza Children.
While fighting continues, Israel has been treating some of Gaza's casualties in Israeli hospitals. On Wednesday, two young children were transferred from Gaza. One was taken to Schneider medical center in Petach Tikva and the other was taken to Tel HaShomer.
The first child, a seven-year-old boy, is in critical condition after suffering a head injury. The second, an eight-year-old boy, suffered serious wounds to his chest and head, apparently from an explosion caused by a misfiring rocket.
Hamas Uninterested in Treatment for Civilians
At least six other Gaza Arabs recently suffered critical head wounds, according to local doctors. However, according to IDF officials involved in bringing the wounded to Israeli hospitals, Hamas has made it difficult to transfer the patients.
Hamas officials in Gaza have complicated the bureaucratic process of sending patients to Israel and are adding more forms to be filled and approved before the wounded are transferred. Hamas officials say hundreds have been wounded and complain that hospitals are overcrowded, with doctors unable to treat many of the injured.
As operation “Cast Lead” continues, Hamas leaders have complained of substandard medical care in Gaza hospitals, blaming Israel for an alleged shortage of supplies and saying patients have been turned away because hospitals are too full.
On Wednesday, IDF officials involved in dealing with humanitarian cases in Gaza rejected the accusations and said Hamas is responsible for any substandard care given to patients in Gaza. The terror group has withheld supplies from hospitals and refused to transfer the wounded to Israel, they said.
An unprecedented amount of medical aid has been sent to Gaza in recent days, IDF officials said Wednesday, rejecting Hamas' claims of shortages in hospitals. Several trucks filled with medicine, equipment, donated blood and other supplies have entered Gaza via Israeli crossings since Saturday. In addition, several ambulances donated by Turkey, the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority and others were brought to Gaza this week.
"The Gaza hospitals have not collapsed, the international organizations there have not reported a collapse and even say the medical equipment that was brought in has improved the hospitals' efficiency,” a spokesman said. Gaza has plenty of food as well, he said, despite Hamas' claims to the contrary.
IDF officials suggested that Hamas was deliberately manufacturing shortages for its own political purposes. Earlier this year the group was accused of deliberately withholding fuel from Gaza civilians in order to provoke anger against Israel.
Israel Treats Gaza Children.
While fighting continues, Israel has been treating some of Gaza's casualties in Israeli hospitals. On Wednesday, two young children were transferred from Gaza. One was taken to Schneider medical center in Petach Tikva and the other was taken to Tel HaShomer.
The first child, a seven-year-old boy, is in critical condition after suffering a head injury. The second, an eight-year-old boy, suffered serious wounds to his chest and head, apparently from an explosion caused by a misfiring rocket.
Hamas Uninterested in Treatment for Civilians
At least six other Gaza Arabs recently suffered critical head wounds, according to local doctors. However, according to IDF officials involved in bringing the wounded to Israeli hospitals, Hamas has made it difficult to transfer the patients.
Hamas officials in Gaza have complicated the bureaucratic process of sending patients to Israel and are adding more forms to be filled and approved before the wounded are transferred. Hamas officials say hundreds have been wounded and complain that hospitals are overcrowded, with doctors unable to treat many of the injured.
Source: Israel National News
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