The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza warned, on Wednesday, that the current shortage of medicines in the Gaza Strip will result in serious health impacts for patients in need of treatment. Over 300 patients have died since the siege began due to a lack of essential medical equipment, and having been denied exit passes by the Israeli government to receive treatment outside of Gaza.

As thousands of protesters gathered in Cairo, on Thursday, to continue their call for President Mubarak to step down, they were attacked by anonymous individuals who identified themselves as 'Mubarak supporters' and hit the protesters with clubs, stones, Molotov cocktails and gunfire, killing five and hundreds injuring.

Amnesty International today called on the Egyptian authorities to protect the right to peaceful protest as clashes erupted with organized groups of pro-government supporters attacking protesters in Cairo and across Egypt.

Israeli soldiers kidnapped on Wednesday three Palestinian children in Bil’in village, near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, after claiming that they were standing near the annexation wall.

The Higher Committee for Emergency Services in the Gaza Strip reported that seven Palestinians were killed during Israeli military attacks against the coastal region in January. At least twenty residents were wounded. Most of the casualties took place during Israeli air strikes and bombardment targeting the Gaza Strip.

That sums up our news for today, thank you for joining us from occupied Bethlehem, you have been listening to Palestine Today, from International Middle East Media Center. For more updates, please visit our website at www.imemc.org. This report has been brought to you by Husam Qassis and Circarre Parrhesia.