Gaza: 'the world's largest concentration camp'
Derry councillor Gerry MacLochlainn has likened his recent mercy mission to the Gaza Strip to "visiting the largest concentration camp in the world".
The Sinn Fein member has vowed to bring the plight of those living in the Middle Eastern region to the attention of governments across Europe.
Colr. MacLochlainn was a member of a convoy of 40 vehicles, including 25 ambulances, filled with medical and educational aid materials which was delivered to Gaza City.
In fact, he was deputy leader of the 'Hope for Gaza Convoy' which comprised elected officials from across Europe.
Decimated
He reveals: "At one stage they told us the aid would follow but we saw huge stockpiles of aid and medical equipment which had perished before ever being delivered."
A total of 98 delegates travelled to the Egypt-Gaza border; however, only 22 were allowed to cross into the war-torn region which has been decimated by Israeli air strikes and ground attacks.
During his visit, Colr MacLochlainn met three doctors who are on hungerstrike protesting at the Egyptian refusal to allow them to return to Gaza City.
More than 1.4 million people live in the 360 square kilometers region which, except for one crossing at Rafah on the Egyptian border, has its borders, coast and airspace controlled by the Israeli blockade.
No Palestinian is allowed in or out and, while there, the Israelis increased the border exclusion area to 300 metres; those trying to cross would be shot dead, reports Colr. MacLochlainn.
"The situation is one of the gravest I have ever seen. This is the largest concentration camp in the world; the general population there, who have never been convicted of any crime, are denied medical equipment, medicine, paper supplies for schools, water sanitation tablets and even the very cement needed to rebuild their homes after the Israeli attacks.
"The chief medical officer at one of the hospitals we visited told us that 320 people died avoidable deaths simply due to the blockade and the resulting lack of supplies.
"I personally met one young boy who was waiting to die from wounds sustained in the Israeli attacks as he can not travel to a specialist hospital outside of Gaza.
"The siege is simply horrendous, it's a disgrace.
Crimes against humanity
"There is no doubt in my mind that these are crimes against humanity."
Colr. MacLochlainn has already raised the issue with Sinn Fein MEP Barbara deBruin who confirmed she will raise the matter at European level after Parliament reconvenes.
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Monday 13 February 2012
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