May 3, 2006

The IDF closes all Gaza crossings for the day; imposes a curfew on Hawara nr. Nablus, occupies a Palestinian building as an observation post; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem. Managing director of Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital, Ibrahim al-Habash, says that 4 patients have died in recent days from treatable conditions due to the lack of medicine coming into the Strip and the PA’s inability to pay suppliers, warns that hospital conditions across Gaza are growing critical. (PCHR, WT 5/4; NYT 5/8; MM 5/9; OCHA 5/10; PCHR 5/11)