216 Palestinians Treated In Egypt: Health Minister

Egyptian Health Minister Adel El-Adawy says 216 injured Palestinians have been treated in Egypt since the Israeli shelling of Gaza started, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported.

El-Adawy said that 35 Palestinians have been discharged from hospitals after receiving treatment.

One hundred and sixty patients are still suffering from various injuries and are being treated at 18 Egyptian hospitals, including Nasser Center and Al-Arish hospital, he added

The Israeli assault on Gaza started on 8 July and has killed about 2,000 people, while 61 Israelis have died in the violence. A 72-hour ceasefire was announced on Friday morning, although there were reports of deaths in apparent Israeli attacks on Gaza.

The Rafah crossing has been kept closed by the Egyptian authorities who cite security concerns related to Islamist militants in the Sinai Peninsula where Rafah is located, although limited numbers have been allowed to enter Egypt for medical treatment.

The Egyptian military sent 500 tonnes of food and medical aid to Gaza earlier in July, and another aid convoy organized by Egyptian activists delivered LE2.3 million worth of medical aid from donations to the territory last week.

Source : Ahram online