Hamas warns of catastrophic Gaza medicine shortage

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2007

GAZA CITY (AFP) — Hamas warned on Thursday of a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip which it has run for more than three months due to a dire shortage of basic medical supplies.

"We are warning of a real humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip if medicine doesn't enter Gaza," the health minister in the dismissed Hamas government, Bassem Naim, told reporters in Gaza City.

Gaza health authorities are suffering from a shortage of essential medicines, especially cancer and nephrotic drugs, Naim said.

Hamas bloodily seized power in the impoverished territory of 1.5 million people in mid-June, ousting forces loyal to moderate president Mahmud Abbas.

Since then, Israel has sealed Gaza's borders allowing only humanitarian supplies in and severely...