Scottish hospitals should take Gaza patients

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Sturgeon: Scottish hospitals should take Gaza patients

Scottish hospitals could take casualties from the military conflict in Gaza, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said today. Patients needing specialist care may be taken by some hospitals - if the medical evacuation of those injured is possible. The number of casualties and which facilities would be used would depend on the treatment patients need.

"We have been very clear that Scotland stands ready to assist where practical assistance may be requested to help ease the suffering of those affected by this crisis," Ms Sturgeon said today. "NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and NHS Lothian have told me of their very welcome willingness to respond positively to requests for assistance with medical casualties should this be needed."

A procedure for dealing with any request for medical assistance has been put in place, working with Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), an agency co-ordinating NGO involvement in medical aid. Ministers have also been working with aid agencies, partners, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for International Development (DFID), to consider what support can be offered.

Ms Sturgeon, also the health secretary, added: "The relief of human suffering is central to health care and it is fitting that we should offer our help in the humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians caught in this recent action. We know that aid agencies are well-placed on the ground and many have strong resources and equipment but are being prevented from providing these. It is vital that these resources such as medical supplies and food are able to get to those who need these as quickly and safely as possible."

The Scottish Government is continuing its call for a ceasefire and backing the UN's resolution on the issue.

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Excellent news, though I doubt it will happen soon - the Israeli government's determination not to give a fuck about the human disaster it has created will have to be breached first.

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Israel destroys medical clinic in Gaza
Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:50:02 GMT

Charity groups say Israeli aircraft have bombed and destroyed a clinic in the Gaza Strip, shortly after targeting Hamas' ministry of culture. The medical facility - administered by the Middle East Council of Churches - had been evacuated prior to the Sunday evening attack and no one was injured in the incident.

"The clinic is completely destroyed with all its equipment and medical supplies," said Zack Sabella from the council's Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees. Minutes before the missile hit the building, which hosts the clinic, the Israeli Air Force fired a warning missile next to it, forcing all residents of the building and the adjacent buildings to flee the area. A short while after, the army directly hit the building and razed it completely," He added.

The building was registered as a medical facility and was given assurances that it would not come under attack. The attack on the medical center came minutes after Israeli forces reduced the ministry of culture's building to rubble.

Since the launch of Operation Cast Lead on December 27, Israeli forces have repeatedly targeted public buildings, civilian houses, schools, mosques, hospitals, as well as government buildings including the seat of Hamas Parliament. Tel Aviv has intensified the incursion into the costal region, pounding the civilian areas across the populated enclave despite UN resolution 1860 which calls on Israel to put and 'immediate' end to the onslaught.

The offensive has so far claimed at least 890 lives and another 3,800 people wounded. Palestinian medics say women and children are among the victims.

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Wasn't it nice of them to send a warning missile first? Targeting medical facilities is another war crime.