How Israel’s blockade is killing one Gaza boy
17 November, 2008, 06:00
Israel’s latest blockade against Gaza, imposed more than a week ago in retaliation for rocket attacks by Palestinian militants, is causing great suffering among ordinary people. For some it has become a struggle for life itself.
About half of Gaza’s 1.5 million residents lost power a week ago after Israel stopped the flow of fuel to the territory.
For many, the blackouts are a great inconvenience. But for one paralysed Palestinian boy, the fuel shortage poses a deadly threat.
Eight-year-old Makher Al-Asli is completely dependent on an artificial respirator. His one is powered by a diesel generator.
Makher's family members spend days on fuel-finding missions, just to keep Makher alive.
“Tomorrow we'll have to visit all petrol stations to find a couple of gallons of diesel,” Makher's father says.