I. Preventing Gazan Patients from obtaining vital medical treatment Patients who seek medical treatment in Israel, West bank or Jordan must apply to the Joint Liaison Committee of Israel and the Palestinian National Authority for a special travel permit. Such permits require Israeli authorisation. Since the imposition of the closure on February 25th Israel has refused to issue these permits and so far 3 patients have died. Israel allowed only 10 patients to travel via Israel to Jordan, and many other patients are still denied permits. Restricting the import of medicines Israel restricts the import of sufficient medicines to Gaza.
Reports suggest shortages in antibiotics, ventolin solution and childrens nutritional supplements.
Since February 25th Palestinians in the Occupied Territories have been prevented from travelling between the autonomous areas, even though passage between the two is only feasible across Israeli territory. The freedom of movement of Palestinian senior officials is also restricted. Preventing a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council from participating in its First Session Israeli authorities recently prevented Moawia Al Masri a member of the newly elected Legislative Council, and a representative from Nablus, from travelling to Gaza in order to participate in the first Working Session of the Council, on March 21st. Other member of the Council from the West Bank were issued with permits which were valid for only 12 hours, within which time they had to travell to Gaza, participate in the Session and return to the West Bank. The Legislative Council is considered to be one of the most significant outcomes of the Declaration of Principles, signed between Israel and the PLO in September 1993.