Plastics replace glass windows in Gaza

SALAM from Gaza! Crossing the Rafah Gate into Gaza is like winning a lottery. Scores of people at the gate try daily to get past into the checkpoint, and then final clearance into Gaza. Not everyone succeeded. Often, it's a case of so near yet to far. Gaza itself showed almost no outward sign of people living in fear. Small busineses goes on, making kebabs and selling mint tea by the roadside. "Business looks normal in Gaza," I remarked to the Palestinian Health Minister Dr Basem. "Yes, we are like that. We've been under siege for the last three years. We've been like this since '48. We are resilient, and that's one strength that we draw from each other over the years. We now appeal to the world community of nations to help us, physically and morally. Do what you can please. I know it requires courage, sacrifices and strong political will," Dr Basem said in an interview at the Shifa hospital in downtown Gaza.