Palestinian minister urges Egypt to re-open Rafah border gate

Palestinian government’s health minister Mufid al-Muhallelati says “the problems in health sector in Gaza are at a level of crisis” after the closure of Rafah border gate. Muhallelati told a press conference that his ministry and affiliated institutions were dramatically affected after the border gate was closed by Egyptian authorities on 11 September due to security concerns. Following the closure of the gate, pharmaceutical stocks went down by 30 per cent and patients cannot be treated due to lack of medical supplies. Palestinian health minister stated that they carry on medical operations together with some international organizations such as Turkish Red Crescent and TIKA (Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency), urging the international society to put pressure on Israeli state to end the blockade on Gaza and permit medical supplies and basic construction materials to enter Gaza. Muhallelati also urged Egypt to re-open Rafah border gate. Rafah border gate was closed by Egypt on 11 September by Egyptian authorities due to security concerns following a military coup against President Mohamed Morsi and the tunnels used by Palestinian people to get into Egypt to provide vital supplies were also mostly destroyed by Egyptian forces. Rafah is the only border gate into Gaza, a city under a strict Israeli blockade since 2006. Approximately 1.8 million people live in Gaza.