The popular committee against the siege said in a press release on Sunday that Maher Al-Mabhuh, 43, died of cancer after he was denied travel via the Erez crossing twice by the IOA.

The committee quoted Mabhuh family members as saying that they were forced to re-direct his permit to be transferred through the Rafah crossing for treatment in Egyptian hospitals but he could not leave due to closure of the border terminal.

They said that he tried to cross into Egypt a month ago when the Egyptian authorities announced that it would open the terminal for three days but could not.

Another cancer patient Saleh Al-Arkan also died of his chronic disease after being denied passage.

Mohammed Al-Absi, 37, died of kidney failure and was not allowed to cross Rafah terminal for treatment in Egyptian hospitals despite obtaining a permit.