Despite hurdles, Turkey building hospital in Gaza

Palestine and Egypt, led by the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA), are currently working against considerable hurdles to build a 150-bed hospital in the Gaza Strip. As a further step in its efforts to contribute to the well-being of Gazans, suffering under an Israeli blockade, Turkey initiated the project for the Turkey-Palestine Friendship Hospital as a more permanent fixture of Ankara's humanitarian aid. The construction of the hospital is a joint effort by Turkey, Palestine and Egypt, led by Turkey, with the support of the Palestinian National Authority and the authorization of Gaza's Hamas administration on the ground. Egypt is expected to contribute by easing inspections at border crossings to see to the timely delivery of materials needed for the construction, amid difficulties due to pressure from Israel and the blockade of Gaza.