“The blockade imposed by Israel plunged Gaza in a true human crisis” 

It is in substance the conclusion of the report returned this last Thursday March 6 by several international NGOs.   

It goes without saying that the report in question is biased. 

The arguments raised by H.E. Itzhak Levanon, permanent representative of Israel at the United Nations in Geneva, are enough to show the exaggerations and other distortions of the reality whose report makes mention. 

1.      On the access to the Medical Cares 

In spite of the daily attacks of Hamas against Israel, Israel continues to provide to Gaza products of first need.  Itzhak Levanon “to provide Gaza in medical supply is for us a priority” 

• 84 money sums, intended for the purchase of drugs, were transferred in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the year and have been used by the Hamas to finance its own institutions instead of delivering them at the needy hospitals.

• Israel continues to authorize the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip to enter to Israel to receive treatments in Israeli hospitals. In 2007, 140.000 Palestinian patients accompanied by their family profited from Israeli care.

  2.      On the access to the First needs necessities  

Some 160 trucks containing humanitarian aid entered in Gaza through three crossings on Tuesday March 4, 2008.  

• 63 trucks filled with food by the barrage of Soufa, South East of the Gaza strip   
• 80 trucks by the point of passage of Karni  North East of the Gaza strip (East of  Gaza city)
• 19 trucks, provided by Egypt, passed to Gaza by Kerem Shalom,  border with Egypt