Mohammed Mar'i Saudi Gazette RAMALLAH – The Palestinian Health Minister Hani Abdeen traveled to Jordan Sunday on his way to Gaza Strip to offer medical support currently under Israeli aggression. Abdeen said a team of 17 Palestinian physicians is accompanying him “to provide all the necessary medical care to our brothers in Gaza Strip during the aggression.” As Israeli aerial attacks on the coastal enclave entered the fifth day, the death toll rose to 54, with another 562 Palestinians wounded. He added that the move was coordinated with the Hamas Minster of Health Mofeed Mekhalalati. The minister said that a convoy of 20 trucks carrying medical supplies and drugs arrived in Gaza Strip following coordination between the International Red Cross, the World Health Organization and Israel. Abdeen said that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas order the dispatch of the medical supplies “to cover the urgent needs of hospitals in Gaza Strip during the ongoing Israeli aggression.” On Friday, Mekhalalati called on the international community to immediately intervene to prevent another massacre in Gaza Strip, such as occurred during the 2008-2009 Israeli offensive in the area. Mekhalalati said that the chronic shortage of medicines and supplies caused by the Israeli siege is being exacerbated by the numbers of injuries caused by Israeli air strikes. The minister recalled that in one day during 2008-2009 Israeli offensive, one month's medical supplies were exhausted in only one day, and said if the situation deteriorates further they will not be able to cope. Mekhalalati called on the international community and the Islamic world to send emergency aid to the Gaza Strip, especially medical supplies and drugs to deal with the injuries resulting from the Israeli attacks. On Saturday, the Palestinian Presidency' Medical Committee said that Abbas ordered the Palestine hospital in Cairo receive the victims of Israeli aggression. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society runs the hospital.
