Gaza City - A Palestinian with heart problems died after waiting hours at an Israeli checkpoint near Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian hospital sources said yesterday.
They said Sami Basleh, a 56-year-old suffering from heart problems and hypertension, was prevented from crossing the Tal Essultan checkpoint overnight to go to Rafah hospital.
He was forced to spend almost two hours at the checkpoint, together with his family, who were only allowed to cross after Mr Basleh died. The Palestinian Authority has lodged a protest with Israel over his death, through a joint security liaison commission, a Palestinian security source said.
Meanwhile the White House announced that President Bush is to meet the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Ariel Sharon, for a two-day working meeting on December 3rd and 4th.