Hamas moves to break strike by Gaza medics

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2008

GAZA CITY (AFP) — Hamas police dragged doctors back to work and closed private clinics on Wednesday in a bid to break a medical strike that has nearly brought the Gaza Strip's fragile health sector to a halt.

"We are taking steps to break the strike," said Khaled Radi, a spokesman for Gaza's health ministry which has been run by Hamas since the Islamist movement seized power in June 2007 after a week of bloody street battles.

"We have appointed new doctors, nurses, and health workers in some areas, and there will be various punishments for those who participate in this politically motivated strike," he told AFP.

Doctors and other medical workers went on strike late last week to protest against the firing of 46 health ministry employees, all of whom were...