Inhumane Israeli siege of Gaza must end: Hamas health minister

Naeem called on the international community to “stop sitting idle and to intervene to help end the suffering of the people of Gaza.”

“Patients are the hardest-hit by the Israeli blockade and many have died because of the blockade.”

The Hamas health minister made the remarks during the celebration of World Health Day in Gaza City on April 7.

“Today we demand the total lifting of this illegal, inhumane and unethical blockade in order to save the lives of Gazan patients,” Naeem added.

Meanwhile, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, who attended the celebration, hailed efforts made by the health ministry to overcome hardships in face of the blockade imposed by the Tel Aviv regime.

“On this occasion I would like to stress the importance of the work that has been done by the ministry of health in Gaza despite the Israeli blockade and war on Gaza,” Haniyeh said.

“With the help of our brothers and Muslim countries and the free people of the world, the ministry of health has managed to overcome some of the obstacles in order to help the people of Gaza in these hard times.”

The celebration of World Health Day was held as hospitals in the Gaza Strip continue to suffer under the ongoing Israeli blockade, which is jeopardizing the lives of chronically ill patients.

The Israeli regime persistently denies over 1.5 million people in the besieged Palestinian territory their basic rights, including the freedom of movement and the right to decent living, work, health and education.