Speaking at the New America think-tank to shed light on the status of Palestinian refugees, Pierre Krahenbuhl said there is "clear and indisputable" evidence that the Israeli blockade, which came into force in 2007, has caused an "intolerable situation" for 1.8 million people living in one of the most crowded places on earth.I cannot find any other reports on his talk, which did indeed happen yesterday, so perhaps the context is skewed by the not too reliable KUNA, but it sounds like Krahenbuhl is blaming Israel for Gaza children suffering from organ failure.
Organ failure among children and the "increasing rate of suicide" among the population is not natural in society, he said, but rather a "man-made situation." He added: "If there is one thing in short supply -- it is hope."
I have not seen any statistics on organ failure among Gaza children being any higher than anywhere else. Israeli hospitals treat many Gaza children and train Gaza doctors. As I documented last week, one Gaza child's death from kidney failure died because of inter-Palestinian politics while Israel was ready to treat her.
Israel does not block medicines or medical equipment. It does not block doctors from going to Gaza. It routinely allows Gaza children to leave to obtain care not only in Israel but in PA hospitals and abroad as well. It does not limit food into Gaza either. So what exactly is Israel doing to cause this alleged wave of organ failures?
It appears that UNRWA is engaging in another anti-Israel slander.
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