47 the central pharmacy disrupted the perishable drug supply’s cooling devices, and this included damage to vaccines. It also has led to running the generators for long periods which experience frequent breakdowns leading to severe health problems. The depletion of natural gas has resulted in a shortage of appropriate kitchens and poor quality of food provided to patients, and this in addition to the breaking down of central laundries (which are responsible for laundering bedding, towels and medical clothing), leading to the spread of infection among patients.35 In addition, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), between (20,000 and 50,000) of the total population of the Gaza Strip suffers from serious psychological disorders.36 Amnesty International warned of the deteriorating health situation in the Gaza Strip, stating "there is a shortage of medical equipment and supplies during the siege.” And as mentioned above, following Israel's closure of the crossing borders, persons suffering from a range of medical problems and diseases which cannot be treated in Gaza have to apply for permits to obtain exit permits to receive medical treatment, either in foreign hospitals or in West Bank hospitals, even if waiting for the permit will cause deterioration in health. And often the Israeli authorities delay or refuse granting such permits. Some Gazans have died while waiting for permits to leave Gaza for medical treatment in other places. And often the Israeli border officials have refused the entry of trucks loaded with medical supplies going to the hospitals in Gaza, sending them back to where they came from, without providing any explanation.37 7 ‐ Impact of Israeli Violations on the Right to Education During the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, the education sector was also exposed to damage. A total of (158) schools and educational facilities were damaged from being targeted by the Israeli occupation forces, resulting in the complete destruction of (8) schools and (5) schools suffered severe damage and became unusable. In addition, (35) UNRWA schools, (11) private schools and (30) kindergartens also suffered damage as a result of the Israeli aggression. Many universities in Gaza were attacked deliberately, including the Islamic University, 35 See Certificate of the Independent Commission for Human Rights before the United Nations Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Violations in the Occupied Arab Territories, in Amman on 14/6/2010. The certificate dealt with the Israeli violations of the right to health. 36 http://www.msf‐me.org/ar/mission/in‐the‐field/voice‐from‐the‐field/mission‐13.html. 37 http://www.amnesty.org/ar/news‐and‐updates/suffocating‐gaza‐israeli‐blockades‐effects‐palestinians, 01/06/2010