LONDON: Eight mobile medical units are prepared to enter Gaza but have been blocked by Israel for up to two years at the border, aid groups have said.
The six state-of-the-art mobile maternity units, a kidney dialysis and general-purpose clinic were planned to provide urgent critical care for Palestinians in Gaza, The Independent reported.
However, they have been waiting to enter the Palestinian enclave for up to two years, after charities were told by Israel that the units are “dual use” and could be used by Hamas.
Funding for the mobile medical units was driven by organizations including Palestine Aid UK, Palestine Aid Ireland, Medics Worldwide, and Irish citizen and truck driver John Hurson.
Despite the significant effort to raise money for the units, they are now parked near Cairo as Palestinian patients in Gaza face desperation in accessing healthcare.
Jilu Wahid, CEO of Palestine Aid UK, told The Independent: “These are mothers we are trying to save. We need to allow these units in because they’re going to immediately provide intervention.
“Combatants cannot use maternity units for anything. It doesn’t make sense. They should let them in.”
War-battered Gaza’s medical system has faced devastating attacks from Israeli forces, with all its hospitals either partially damaged or destroyed.
