The UN and its partnering NGOs have warned that the continuing blockade of Gaza Strip has jeopardised the health of 1.4 million Palestinians, and called for the immediate opening of Gaza crossing."The continuing closure of the Gaza Strip is undermining the functioning of the health care system and putting at risk the health of 1.4 million people in Gaza," said Max Gaylard, the UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory. "It is causing on-going deterioration in the social, economic and environmental determinants of health. It is hampering the provision of medical supplies and the training of health staff and it is preventing patients with serious medical conditions getting timely specialized treatment outside Gaza," he added. ‘Operation Cast Lead’, carried out last year by Israeli forces, damaged 15 of Gaza's 27 hospitals, and 43 of its 110 primary health care facilities were either damaged or destroyed, according to the UN. UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky told journalists that hospitals and primary care facilities, damaged during the fighting, have not been rebuilt because construction materials are not allowed into Gaza. (Reference for text: The Times of India. Photo: Via Google/file)