Zionist Israel blackmailing Palestinians into working as spies

To put more pressure on besieged Palestinians, Israel has increased its pressure on patients seeking medical treatment outside of the enclave.

Patients who require medical treatment abroad are systemically interrogated and blackmailed into working as spies for Tel-Aviv in turn for them to be granted exit permits.

Several Gazan patients were arrested at the Erez crossing this week for their refusal to collaborate with Israel. The Palestinian ministry of health in Gaza has condemned the blackmail of Gazan patients.

Years of Israeli blockade and two wars have had a calamitous effect on the health sector in Gaza. Due to lack of proper medical care many Gazan patients especially those who are chronically ill require medical attention in West Bank and Jerusalem al Quds hospitals.

They are forced to go through the crossing and be subjected to Israeli blackmail. Analysts say Tel-Aviv is trying to weaken the Palestinian society by turning patients into spies.

According to human rights organizations hundreds of patients and their family members have been blackmailed at the Erez crossing. They are also humiliated and insulted by Israeli agents. Patients were usually asked to give information about resistance fighters and the Hamas government in Gaza.

Many here believe that Palestinians will continue to suffer at crossings and checkpoints amid the international inaction.

Human rights groups have voiced concerns over the blackmail of Gazan patients calling upon the international community to help end their suffering by lifting the inhumane Israeli blockade.