Since the closure by Israel of the crossing points into Gaza in June 2007, only limited amounts of humanitarian goods have been permitted to enter Gaza. In August 2007, ICRC was asked to help facilitate the transport of the machines into the Strip.

In addition to its own needs, the EGH also manages the laundry of the nearby Najjar hospital and at least 15 public health centres in the southern district. For over six months there has been just one machine to cope with over 500 kgs of laundry a day.

Alexandre Equey, head of the ICRC office in Khan Younis, expressed his satisfaction at being able to hand over the washing machines. But he stressed the continued difficulty in bringing supplies into the Gaza Strip: "ICRC is very concerned about the measures imposed by Israel, and constantly reminds the authorities of their obligations under international humanitarian law to ease the restrictions, which are paralysing the Gaza Strip."

Dr Mohammed Abu Shahala, the general director of the EGH, expressed relief that the washing machines had finally arrived: "We are surrounded by so many crises and difficulties. Today is truly a special day for me, because something positive is happening."