The Palestinian Authority often blames Israel for various problems, from constant budget shortfalls to the presence of wild boars in Samaria, while Israel argues that it is not to blame and has even tried to help. Now the tables are turned as Hamas blames the PA for its problems in Gaza.
Hamas leaders claimed last week that the PA was to blame for an alleged shortage of medicine in Gaza hospitals. Ministers warned of a “health catastrophe” and said they were missing 162 types of medicine and 165 medical devices – a shortage they said was caused by the PA's failure to transfer most of the necessary equipment.
They called to “pressure the government in Ramallah to provide the Gaza Strip with the appropriate share of medication and medical equipment.” Hamas suggested that the Fatah-led PA was withholding medicine deliberately, due to its years-old dispute with Hamas.
The Islamist terrorist group also blamed Israel, which it claimed was not allowing medication into Gaza.
The PA denied the claims, and said that any delays in the delivery of medicine to Gaza were due to bureaucracy, not malice. Supplies were sent in November, they added, and will be sent again soon.
Israeli officials also disputed Hamas' claims. Human rights organizations in Gaza have not claimed a shortage of supplies, they noted. Israel and Egypt both allow medicine and medical equipment to enter Gaza.