Palestinian Dies at Gaza Border Crossing with Israel after Repeated Denial of Medical Permit

20 Jun

8:54 PM

A Palestinian identified as Masoud Abdul Hai Abu Saqer, aged 49, died on Tuesday, at Erez/Beit Hanoun crossing between Gaza and Israel, while on his way to get treatment at an East Jerusalem hospital, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights said, on Wednesday.

Abu Saqer, WAFA reports, had applied three times, in the past, for an Israeli army permit to leave Gaza for cancer treatment , but his application was continuously denied.

On the fourth attempt, Abu Saqer was summoned for an interview at Erez checkpoint, by the Israel security service, before it was decided whether or not to grant him a permit, but he died at the crossing during the interview, according to his son, Saed.

Abu Saqer was diagnosed with cancer in the his right lung as of December 2017, and has been trying ever since to reach a hospital in East Jerusalem for treatment, but without success.

Seven Gaza patients, including three women, have reportedly died, since the start of this year, after their applications for an Israeli permit to leave the besieged Gaza Strip were either denied or delayed.