The Palestinian Red Crescent
This afternoon, the Palestinian Red Crescent has announced the cessation of all its operations due the ongoing and massive Israeli assaults against its hospitals, clinics, ambulances, and medical staff in all areas targeted by the current Israeli military campaign.
UPDATE: War in Bethlehem
April 05, 2002 1524: Azza camp: a local car attempted to turn around and drive away when confronted by an armoured personnel carrier. The vehicle received heavy fire which knocked out all windows. A casualty is reported but unconfirmed. Medics have been able to get into the area but are currently being interrrogated and harassed by six soldiers as five international civilains observe the unfolding situation. Ground troops are conducting a search of the area and one soldier fired his rifle into the camp without provocation.
The IDF has repeatedly thwarted the delivery of humanitarian aid (food, water, medical supplies) to the besieged people of Bethlehem. Humanitarian organizations continue to try to respond to calls by Palestinians and foreign nationals in Bethlehem to no effect.
IMC Palestine, the local and international community of Palestine repeat our call for international civilians to come to Palestine and help end the violence and destruction of our communities. Please help us NOW!!
Media 19 has learned that the journalists who were believed to be trapped inside the press centre in Bethlehem Municipality were in fact arrested. Statement from internationals in Azza Camp.
April 05, 2002 1230: An emergency medical ambulance team delivered a Palestinian man with gunshot wounds to the emergency ward of al-Husayn Hospital after a humiliating and frightening experience. The ambulance driver and attendant were detained at gunpoint for three hours with their hands tied behind their backs and guns to their heads before being warned not try to save anyone else and allowed to retrieve the wounded man and return to the hospital.
April 05, 2002 2400: REPORTS FROM UN CLINIC NEXT TO IBDA'A SOCIAL CENTER DEHEISHE CAMP, NEAR BETHLEHEM
These are only a couple of the incidents that the medical personnel at the UN Clinic located next to Deheishe experienced today. - 6pm: A pregnant woman from Deheishe went to the clinic because she was having contractions. The UN medics helped her give birth, but the baby was born sick. Both the mother and the baby needed to be rushed to the hospital, but the IDF patrols told the UN clinics that the ambulance was not allowed to move. As a result, the baby died 2 hours later. - Today, during clashes, three boys under the age of 15 were shot by Israeli Occupation Forces. One was shot in the ankle, one was shot in the wrist, and one was shot in the neck. All three are in recovery thanks to the United Nations clinic. - Also today, one of the ambulances at the United Nations clinic was targeted by IDF soldiers, and hit with automatic gunfire. Many windows were broken out, but the vehicle can still run. There is currently an ambulance shortage in Palestine. All Palestinians are requesting medical supplies as well as unrestricted access for medical personnel to reach the injured.