JERUSALEM, August 7, 2006 (WAFA) - Médecins Du Monde (MDM)-France said the Lebanese tragedy, which it is mobilising medical teams and support for, should not let us forget the fate of the population of the Gaza Strip.

To answer to the severity of the injuries and the deterioration of access to health care services, MDM said it is sending an emergency surgical mission to Shifa hospital in Gaza.

MDM said the Israeli attacks have been continuous since the 28 of June against a population who is already weakened by the economic embargo imposed by Israel and the international community since February 2006.

In addition to the atmosphere of war and the continuous violence, it says, interruptions of electricity and water supplies, restrictions on gasoline and gas, and the impossibility for the municipalities to collect the waste, makes life extremely difficult for the population of Gaza.

A survey carried out by Médecins Du Monde-France following the beginning of the operation "Summer Rain" revealed alarming results concerning the access to water, food and health care services.

"The hospitals are the most affected by the interruption of international aid and the blockade on the entry of supplies. The Palestinian medical employees are currently the main humanitarian volunteers in Gaza as they have been working without salaries for more than 6 months," according to MDM.

It added that the inadequacy between an increasingly poor population, more patients going to overloaded hospitals which are increasingly dirty and functioning with exhausted personnel, is threatening access to healthcare services.

MDM said healthcare structures cannot function continuously due to the restrictions on electricity and medical supplies, affirming that hundreds of victims (157 casualties and 550 injured since the 28/06) are gravely lacking basic healthcare.

A.D. (21:41 P) (18:41 GMT)