In August 2007, Mahmoud Abu Taha, 21, was diagnosed with cancer of the small intestine. He underwent surgery at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, but the operation failed. After receiving chemotherapy at the European Hospital in Gaza , physicians found that his intestines were blocked and that he required emergency surgery in Israel . While at the hospital, Abu Taha was intravenously fed a vitamin solution. The hospital had a shortage of the solution because of the siege on Gaza and was forced to drop Abu Taha's feeding from four to two portions of the solution a day. As a result, he lost an appreciable amount of weight.
On 18 October, Abu Taha's family managed to get him a permit to enter Israel so that he could undergo surgery at Tel Hashomer Hospital . That same day, he was taken by ambulance to Erez Checkpoint, his father accompanying him. When the father went to arrange the crossing, Shabak agents detained him and ordered the ambulance to return to the hospital in Gaza . The father remained in detention for 11 days.
Only yesterday, 10 days later, was Abu Taha's entry to Israel arranged. The Palestinian ambulance carrying him waited at the checkpoint for five hours before being allowed to cross. Today, the family was informed that Abu Taha died a few hours after he crossed into Israel , although they have not yet received any specific details on his death. The father was released from detention following his son's death.
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Mahmoud Abu Taha at the European Hospital in Gaza. Photo: Muhammad Sabah , B'Tselem.
The health system in the Gaza Strip is able to supply only limited services and due to Israel 's siege policy, the quality of treatment provided is steadily declining. As of June 2007, Israel has forbidden Palestinians to leave the Gaza Strip to go abroad, even to receive medical treatment. The only possibility remaining to sick people who need treatment that is unavailable in the Gaza Strip is to seek treatment in Israel . However, only a small number of entry permits are given and only following a lengthy process.