The group U.S. Boat to Gaza — http://ustogaza.org — has just released a statement that begins: “Canadian and Irish ships, the Tahrir and the Saoirse, sailing with Freedom Waves to Gaza have been illegally boarded by the Israeli military in international waters, about 50 nautical miles from the coast of Gaza, around 9:30 am EDT. The IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] spokesperson confirmed that the vessels were taken to the port of Ashdod, and the passengers were taken into custody by the Israeli police. Although the IDF spokesperson claimed they took ‘every precaution to ensure the safety of the activists,’ Freedom Waves to Gaza organizers have been unable to communicate with the ships since soon after the vessels were approached by Israeli warships earlier this morning.”

U.S. coordinator of the group, Jane Hirschmann said today: “Had the passengers been permitted to proceed to Gaza rather than being stopped on the high seas by armed force, there would have been no threat to their safety. The IDF’s statement is like the mugger promising to escort his victim home safely.” The group states: “The Canadian boat Tahrir confirmed that the Israeli navy had contacted them asking for their destination at around 7 a.m EDT to which Ehab Lotayef, an activist on board the ship, replied ‘The conscience of humanity.’ When the Israelis again demanded to know the destination of the ship Lotayef replied ‘The betterment of mankind.’ … Passengers on the boats are citizens of Canada, Ireland, the U.S., Australia, and Palestine. The U.S. citizen on the Tahrir is Kit Kittredge of Quilcene, Washington. She is a massage therapist and emergency medical technician.” The passengers of the boats are now apparently being detained by the Israeli military.

Currently in Cairo, Robert Naiman is policy director of Just Foreign Policy. He intended to sail on the Canadian boat Tahrir, but was blocked when the Turkish authorities limited the number of passengers allowed on (the boat sailed from Turkey). Naiman said today: “As the Red Cross has clearly stated, the blockade of Gaza’s civilians is illegal under international humanitarian law. And as long as the blockade remains, civilians of other countries will continue to challenge it.” Naiman recently wrote the piece “Shalit Is Free. Lift the Siege of Gaza Now.”

Seattle Mideast Awareness Campaign (SeaMAC) has filed an appeal with the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn the recent federal court decision to dismiss SeaMAC’s lawsuit against King County for canceling a contract with SeaMAC to run ads on twelve Metro buses.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Washington will continue to represent SeaMAC in the appeal.

“We’re unhappy that a jury will not be allowed to examine the evidence, but ACLU’s legal team has decided that there is a very good case to be made that the dismissal was improper and should be overturned,” said Mark Eichinger-Wiese, a volunteer with SeaMAC.

“King County censored SeaMAC’s free speech while protecting the free speech of those who want to silence SeaMAC’s message. Criticism of Israel should not be singled out for censorship, especially when based on evidence from the United Nations and international human rights groups,” said Edward Mast, another SeaMAC volunteer.

The bus ads, reading “Israeli War Crimes: Your Tax Dollars At Work,” were examined, approved, and accepted by King County and Metro officials. SeaMAC signed a contract and paid the full cost in advance, and the ads were printed and scheduled to run for four weeks starting on December 27, 2010. The date was chosen because it was the second anniversary of Israel’s three-week military offensive against the captive population of Gaza in 2008-9, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,400 Palestinians — most of them non-combatants and more than 300 of them children.

The language of the ad was chosen to reflect the fact that investigations by Amnesty International, the United Nations and others found evidence of war crimes committed by Israel during the assault on Gaza. Other war crimes have been documented during Israel’s long occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

At the last minute, on December 23, 2010, King County reversed course, cancelled the contract, and refused to run the ads. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Washington is representing SeaMAC in a lawsuit against King County for breach of contract and for violating SeaMAC’s First Amendment right of free expression. The trial was scheduled to begin in federal court on October 31. King County lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, and a federal judge granted King County’s motion on October 10.

An appeal to the Ninth District Court typically takes twelve months or more to reach oral argument before a panel of three judges. If the panel grants the appeal, the case will go back to trial in before a six-person jury.

The WPSR medical delegation in front of the wall near East Jerusalem.

By Gerri Haynes

(Gerri Haynes, a former president of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, has been sending back reports from inside blockaded Gaza. As she did three times before, Gerri organized a team of doctors and other health care providers to work in hospitals and clinics in Gaza in an effort to directly help the people there and to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that the Israeli blockade has created. Eighth and last in the series.)

This morning, we met with a representative of the Israeli Committee Against Housing Demolitions. Driving through Jerusalem, we could see again the effects of the Separation Wall and the inequities of services provided on each side of the “Green Line.” Disputes over land and the right to build continue – it seems there is a long way to go to reach peace between the peoples of this land.

In the afternoon, members of our group toured the water facilities of Bethlehem, observing the ways provision of water to Palestinians is controlled or limited. And in the evening, we heard from a hydrologist in Bethlehem – learning more about the distribution of water resources between Israel and Palestine. Water use by settlers is four to five times that available for use by Palestinians.

We were treated to another delicious meal at Wi’am and listened to Rafiq and Lucas Zoughbi, joined by their cousin Larry, as they jammed in the Wi’am Garden – and so we head for security at Ben Gurion to fly back to the U.S.

Thanks for reading this blog!!

Rafiq and Lucas Zoughbi, joined by their cousin Larry, jam in the Wi’am Garden (Photo by Bob Haynes),

Gerri Haynes, right, and the other members of the WPSR medical team navigate the intricate security system on the Gaza border (Photo by Bob Haynes).

(Gerri Haynes, a former president of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, is sending back reports from inside blockaded Gaza. As she did three times before, Gerri organized a team of doctors and other health care providers to work in hospitals and clinics in Gaza in an effort to directly help the people there and to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that the Israeli blockade has created. Seventh in the series.)

Early this morning, we boarded a van for the border between Gaza and Israel. Leaving Gaza is complex. We bid farewell to the great people who helped make our stay possible, then drove north and east to Erez, the only passage between Gaza and Israel for people.

Passing to Israel took about two hours. First, on the Gaza side, two stops are required for passport checks. Then, with baggage on a cart pushed by a Palestinian, there is a long walk (1/3 mile?) through a linear cage to the first step into the Israeli side. There, after a door denying return to the Gaza side closes, a camera surveys people and bags and a disembodied voice provides direction to move through two sets of doors or turnstiles to the next section of the crossing.

With many more bags than people, we gradually moved up a long, wide corridor to another set of doors and turnstiles. Slowly, we fed our baggage through a turnstile and encountered a human being. This gentleman directed us to place all of our electronic gear into one large flat plastic bin. Then we waited for about one hour as Palestinian patients and businessmen filtered around us and through the next set of doors.

When our turn came, our gear and opened suitcases were placed on a conveyor belt and moved up and out of site. We then passed through another set of doors, approached a full-body scanner, waited in line for each persons turn to be scanned, completed the scan, entered an area of small individual cubicle and waited while our scans were analyzed by personnel visible on the building’s second floor. When we were released from the cubicles, we entered a room where plastic bins were moving slowly around on an elevated a square of rollers. We retrieved our electronic gear and moved through another door to the luggage inspection stands. Here, gloved human beings were going through each piece of luggage – the contents scrambled and then returned to us to be re-packed.

Finally, we passed through passport control and moved away from the building, across roads, down a sidewalk, through another turnstile and down a set of stairs to a parking lot where the driver of a van waited to take us to Bethlehem.

I recount this long process to demonstrate that each person leaving Gaza does so with difficulty. Joining us in this passage were sick children and heart-broken adults. Palestinians leaving Gaza must go through an arduous vetting process before passage is even a possibility and a mother (young fathers are seldom allowed to pass) completing this arduous journey with a sick child faces daunting obstacles.

The land between Erez and up to Bethlehem is beautiful. The political landscape is visible in the development and population of the land, but the land itself is lovely. In the afternoon, we drove the long, dangerous road through the Valley of Fire to Ramallah. Without special permission, Palestinians are not allowed to drive the direct (shorter, faster, safer) route to Ramallah through Jerusalem.

Mustafa Barghouthi (Photo by Bob Haynes).

Returning to Bethlehem, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner, prepared by the sister-in-law of our friend, Zoughbi Zoughbi. Zoughbi is the tireless director of Wi’am, the Palestinian Conflict Resolution Center. He and two of his sons, Lucas and Rafiq, accompanied us to Ramallah. It was late when we bid farewell to our hosts and their other guests. Zoughbi parted from us, saying that he was needed to facilitate the resolution of another conflict in Bethlehem. His days are always long.

Tomorrow, we will tour East Jerusalem, gather more data on water in preparation for a presentation by members of our group to the American Public Health Association meeting in Washington DC, and then return to Tel Aviv for our flights from this land.

This beautiful land (Photo by Bob Haynes).

(Gerri Haynes, a former president of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, is sending back reports from inside blockaded Gaza. As she did three times before, Gerri organized a team of doctors and other health care providers to work in hospitals and clinics in Gaza in an effort to directly help the people there and to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that the Israeli blockade has created. Sixth in the series.)

This evening, our group was hosted in the lovely garden of Dr. Eyad Sarraj, president of the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme. Dr. Sarraj is respected throughout the world for his work on peace and reconciliation and for his study of refugees and the trauma of war and occupation. His giant spirit has inspired members of WPSR to return again and again to Gaza and to provide information about the situation in Gaza to our medical and nursing colleagues.

As we complete this brief journey, members of our team are preparing to give two presentations on Gaza at the American Public Health Association meeting in Washington DC next weekend. We have had hospital and clinic experiences and listened with open hearts. We hope to return next year with an expanded medical team, prepared to offer services not presently available here.

Kara Mochan (Photo by Bob Haynes).

“These days have been a whirlwind of activity:
• Meetings with the Palestinian Nursing Association to talk about the state of nursing in Gaza and the need for continued nursing education for the 7,000 nurses in Gaza
• Meetings with the only certified child psychiatrist in all of Gaza, my wonderful colleague Dr. Sami… One meeting with Dr. Sami included a tour of the child therapy room – fully equipped and ready for use.
• A tour and meeting with the director of the Qattan Center, a private organization, serving the children of Gaza City with a resource center and full library for children and parents”
• And many more…

Kara has been busy in Gaza. She has taught and learned and consulted with colleagues throughout Gaza. The list is long and full. In many meetings, she has been invited to return to teach, conduct research, and consult.

Kara writes, “I have slept little. Today, as the light starts to wake up Gaza, I look out to the sea to take in the calming waves and this time I only see one Israeli boat watching me as I write this………. maybe that is why I was sleepless in Gaza tonight.”

Dr. Laura Hart (Photo by Bob Haynes).

Laura Hart, M.D. writes: As the sun set tonight in Gaza, our last evening here, I thought of how privileged we are to travel to this remarkable place. I was struck again by the grace and courage of the people of Gaza. Whether it is a mother worried about her child, a doctor or nurse thirsting for the most current treatment protocols and techniques, or the hotel clerk who wants only to work in the field of his educational degree, I am humbled. I am so grateful for the hospitality of Dr. Eyad Sarraj, Gaza Community Mental Health Programme and the physicians and personnel of the hospitals and clinics who welcomed us.

A special note of thanks goes to Amani, Ashraf and Abu Husam of the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme for arranging meetings, teaching opportunities, transportation and hundreds of details to make this journey successful – we are blessed.

Amani (Photo by Bob Haynes).

Abu Husam (Photo by Bob Haynes).

(Gerri Haynes, a former president of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, is sending back reports from inside blockaded Gaza. As she did three times before, Gerri organized a team of doctors and other health care providers to work in hospitals and clinics in Gaza in an effort to directly help the people there and to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that the Israeli blockade has created. Fifth in the series.)

A proud, young artist shows her work (Photo by Bob Haynes).

This morning, I sat with a group of women whose family members have died. A dear friend in Washington state is interested in writing the stories of women in Gaza and I wondered if it would be possible to find women who might be willing to tell of their experience.

In brief, waiting for the fuller expression of their stories, these are the words I heard today:

Reem: My brother was killed in the Fakhoura massacre during the Cast Lead operation of 2008/2009. He had four children and after he was killed, his widow took the children to another part of Gaza and we no longer see them. We lost my brother and his whole family.

Amal: My child was five years old during Cast Lead. He was burned by white phosphorus and one year later, he died of cancer. There are many cases like this – children who were exposed to white phosphorus and who have now died of cancer. One day on the street, I heard other children calling a child by the name of my son – I began to cry, calling out his name again and again, “Hamza, Hamza, Hamza.”

Nahala: My husband and three of my children (two boys and one girl) were killed in the Fakhoura massacre. My daughter-in-law was also injured. Now I live with four sons and two daughters. One of my sons lost his legs – one above the knee and the other below the knee. Doctors have tried to help. He had artificial legs, but they didn’t fit and made him sore. Now he gets around in a wheel chair (note: there are very few handicapped-access places in Gaza) and needs more care. So much has happened. I find that I am very forgetful.

A young girl wanders in the rubble (Photo by Bob Haynes).

Asma: My husband died during the civil war in Gaza. We have one son who was one-year-old when my husband died. He is six now and has trouble with speech and he is hyperactive. I don’t know how to help him.

Khifa: My husband was 37 years old in 2006. He was standing in front of our house. Someone fired rockets into Israel and Israel fired back – my husband was killed. My two daughters are married and live with their husbands. My son is 16 and we live in a room in my father’s house. Soon, I will have to leave this house and I don’t know where we will go. I am physically and psychologically tired. My son is also very tired. We don’t know what will happen to us.

Eman: Two of my sons and my brother-in-law died in the massacre. At 3 AM, the Israelis called and told us to evacuate our home. When we were leaving the house the next day, we were attacked. Now my husband and I live with our four young children. One of my sons who was killed was older – he had been married for twenty days. I’m OK, but this is hard. My children have a hard time – they witnessed the killing. My husband doesn’t express his grief, but when he sees the children of my one son, he does cry. In one family I know, eleven people were killed.

Linda: My husband and fourteen-year-old son died in the massacre. I lost my home and now live in the home of my brother-in-law with my son and daughter – my brother-in-law lives abroad.

Nihad: Two of my sons died. I saw one of them die. I stay in my house with my family. My daughter-in-law lives with me.

The recent prisoner swap brought many feelings to these women. Together they told me that when they saw the released prisoners they were happy for the families, but wanted the same thing for those who died. As these women told their stories, a social worker from the agency where we met, listened and at the end of our time together, she spoke of having them meet together again to try to do some healing work.

Shipping containers re-used to make a school for Gaza students (Photo by Bob Haynes).

(Gerri Haynes, a former president of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, is sending back reports from inside blockaded Gaza. As she did three times before, Gerri organized a team of doctors and other health care providers to work in hospitals and clinics in Gaza in an effort to directly help the people there and to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that the Israeli blockade has created. Fourth in the series.)

While medicines and medical equipment are not technically prohibited for importation to Gaza, the reality here is that medicines and equipment are difficult to obtain:
1. There is only one crossing between Israel and Gaza that allows passage of goods and this crossing is open for a limited number of hours/day.
2. Transport of materials is onerous – goods brought to the crossing must pass through a secure set of doors, one door closing before another opens, with all doors to Israel fully secured before Palestinians can open doors on the Gaza side. UN personnel refer to this as materials passing through “sterilized zones” – high security clearance is required for each person who touches the goods and only UN personnel may make contact with the goods.
3. No goods are transported between Israel and Gaza on trucks. Materials are off-loaded from Israel and then must be palletized prior to entering Gaza to be re-loaded on trucks. The result is a minimal amount of material can be received – the delivery time is short and the process is long.
4. Requests for materials must be cleared by Israel and this can take weeks/months
5. The economy of Gaza is markedly depressed. UNRWA announced today that the unemployment rate is 45%. Funds to purchase materials are extremely limited.

Rich Grady (Photo by Bob Haynes).

Bob Haynes, cardiologist, is consulting and providing direct care for cardiology patients in several clinics. He is doing most of his work in the evenings and is seeing patients of all ages, including one 10-month-old child! The expertise of cardiologists in Gaza is high, but association with international colleagues is rare and one physician commented to Bob today, “It’s just nice to know that we haven’t been forgotten.”

Maxine Fookson (Photo by Bob Haynes).

“Since this is my first trip to Gaza, I find my eyes and heart wide open. I could use many more days or weeks here to see all that I want to see. I am shocked at the abject poverty and suffering from the siege on all of Gaza’s borders (air, land and water). And yet, I am so totally impressed with the talent, ingenuity, warmth, humor and total determination of the Gaza people. At an amazing technology fair we visited today showcasing students’ projects and designs at the Islamic University, as we were in awe at an optical invention that a student invented to correct childhood amblyopia (poor vision), the Dean of Nursing exclaimed, ‘See, that’s Gaza under siege!’ He is so right! What would Gaza be if it were free?

“I have visited a few health care sites providing maternal child health care. The first was a hospital and clinic called Al Awdah, which is funded by NGOs. The first impression is that the actual environment, including their instruments, looks to be about 30-40 years behind that which we have in the U.S. However, the environment was spotless. The pediatrician who showed me around explained that due to the difficulties in global economics, their funds are greatly reduced. As a result their intensive care units are closed completely. They have had to cut staff by about 30% and their pharmacy is almost bare of many essential drugs.

“I also visited the UNRWA Clinic in Nuserat, in the Central Gaza Strip. I was greeted with such warmth and hospitality. Again, I heard about the incredible manpower shortage. Nurses working in pairs see 60 to 70 well child visits in a day. The doctors average over 120 patients per day. Despite the shortages, they have a specialized clinic for children having school difficulties consisting of a pediatrician, a mental health provider and a nurse. It has been so rewarding to talk to these medical practitioners as colleagues. I am so totally impressed with the quality of the care they deliver under such incredible stress and conditions of scarcity.

“Other highlights for us have included visiting the fabulous programs of Qattan Centre and an UNRWA school located in converted shipping containers. It is estimated that UNRWA needs to build 100 schools to provide education for all the refugee children at this time, but they have funds to complete only 7 of the schools. Again, the structure of the school was so depressing, but the passion and dedication of the principal and teachers is amazing.”

The UNRWA container school is a facility of 15 boxes without air conditioning. We met representatives of a dedicated parent committee and were impressed with the passion of faculty and parents in assuring that the high priority on Palestinian education is respected. Set in a bare sandy lot, this facility will be replaced by a new school as soon as Israeli authorities allow the necessary building materials to enter Gaza.

(Gerri Haynes, a former president of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, is sending back reports from inside blockaded Gaza. As she did three times before, Gerri organized a team of doctors and other health care providers to work in hospitals and clinics in Gaza in an effort to directly help the people there and to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that the Israeli blockade has created. Third in the series.)

Reem Abu Jaber (Photo by Bob Haynes).

The huge garbage dump across the street and the dumpster dump next to the primary Qattan seem to disappear when the lights and books and activities of the Center open to children and families. The energy and hope of Reem buoy up all who encounter her.

A re-use worker gives us a friendly greeting (Photo by Bob Haynes).

Yesterday afternoon, we visited a young man from Bethlehem who was released from prison in the recent prisoner exchange. He is not allowed to return to his home, but speaks frequently on the phone to his Bethlehem friends. For now, he must stay in Gaza. There was a gathering of family members whose loved ones remain in Israeli prisons. Several women spoke to us of their loved ones who have not come to trial and yet remain incarcerated. One woman told us with great sorrow that her son has been in prison for many years – he was jailed at age 11. http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-12/2274?mid=50

Gazans gather chunks of concrete from bombed buildings to re-use in construction (Photo by Bob Haynes).

Rebar is straightened to be used again (Photo by Bob Haynes).

The mental health of Gaza suffers from constant threat and continuous deprivation caused by recurrent military attacks and the siege. Mental health providers we talked with today spoke of “learned helplessness” – and the ways that providers can continue to provide care: group meetings, close supervision, continuing education and family time. The spirit of the people of Gaza is tremendous.

(Gerri Haynes, a former president of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, is sending back reports from inside blockaded Gaza. As she did three times before, Gerri organized a team of doctors and other health care providers to work in hospitals and clinics in Gaza in an effort to directly help the people there and to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that the Israeli blockade has created. Second in the series.)

The three physicians in our group spent today in clinics and operating rooms – teaching and consulting. We are busy working on the schedule prepared for us by Amani at the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme. Maxine Fookson, nurse practitioner from Portland, gave a lengthy training and facilitated a discussion for nurses on postpartum depression. In Gaza, where the threat of attack by Israel is constant, women report that giving birth is accompanied by the additional stress of insecurity – will life continue or will it be suddenly ended by another attack from the air?

Bob Haynes making friends with his photography.

But the trauma of living in the world’s largest open-air prison continues. In a meeting tonight with a child and adolescent psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist from the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme, we heard the term, “Learned helplessness” – the reality that people living under siege learn that even if they are educated and eager to work, the lack of jobs and lack of ability to change the external control on their lives gives them a deep sense of helplessness. Hope lies in the possibility that Gaza will be opened to the world – that politicians will realize the absolute need to free Gaza and allow Gaza’s people to heal. For now, the lack of access to clean water (the water of Gaza is 95% polluted), clean air, safe soil, adequate classrooms for education (children are double and triple-shifted in schools), jobs, adequate housing – the list is long – makes living difficult for these courageous people.

Israel restricts fishing to shallow, non-productive areas along the coast of Gaza (Photo by Bob Haynes).

From the director of the nursing association, we learned that there are many more nurses in Gaza than there are available jobs. More hospital beds are needed (unable to be built because building materials are forbidden). These beds could mean increased placement for nurses and more access to care for the population. Kara Mochan, nurse practitioner, is working on plans to assist with specialist education for nurses here. There are answers to the public health needs of Gaza, but until the power of freedom is granted, the awakening of our conscience regarding their plight compels us to continue asking for help for this land.

(Gerri Haynes, a former president of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, will be sending back reports from inside blockaded Gaza. As she did three times before, Gerri organized a team of doctors and other health care providers to work in hospitals and clinics in Gaza in an effort to directly help the people there and to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis that the Israeli blockade has created. First in the series.)

Five members of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility and one intrepid member of Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility arrived in Gaza yesterday – hoping to provide medical care and consultation to this besieged population. This is the fourth WPSR delegation to travel to Gaza in the last two years.

The 1.6 (or more) million people of this small strip of land are captives of a situation that offers them no free access to the rest of the world. Once, they were able to move relatively freely through Palestinian and Israeli lands. Many Gazans worked daily in Israel. Many visited their families in the West Bank. For nearly five years, the only “free” movement has been through the dangerous tunnels that connect southern Gaza with Egypt. More on that below!

We made our way to Gaza through Israel, Jerusalem and Bethlehem, meeting interesting people along the way.

Amos Givertz, an Israeli working to help the Bedouin population of the Negev Desert (Photo by Bob Haynes).

Laura Wharton is a member of the left-wing Meretz Party in Israel and was elected to serve (without pay) on the Jerusalem City Council. She met with our group at the Notre Dame Hotel to talk about actions to increase services to Palestinians living in East Jerusalem. She says Arabs are rapidly immigrating to East Jerusalem and the cost of housing is sky-rocketing. Issues of water and infrastructure such as schools in East Jerusalem remain challenging for the City Council. One complicating factor for management of City finances is the presence of a large number of ultra-orthodox Jews in West Jerusalem. The ultra-orthodox do not have to work, serve in the military or pay taxes, yet receive social services and stipends for studying in the Yeshiva.

We were to cross (by permit) into Gaza on Thursday but the border was closed for a holiday. Friday morning, we crossed through to the Gaza side with no difficulties and were joyfully greeted by our hosts from the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme. Gaza has experienced many attacks by the Israeli military since our last visit here and we witnessed some of the building destruction as we traveled.

Our group is comprised of three physicians and three nurses and following a brief tour, Rich Grady and Laura Hart began their work by screening more than 30 urology patients.

During our tour, we witnessed several community celebrations – people gathering in the streets – welcoming home prisoners who were released this week by Israel in the prisoner exchange for the Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit.

The young creator of this artwork was recently slain in an Israeli raid.

Traveling south, we stopped at the Rafah border to witness the preparation of another tunnel from Gaza to Egypt. These tunnels carry goods into Gaza and provide a lifeline around the ongoing siege while the people of Gaza continue to hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Palestine and Israel.