Medical Rights Being Violated in Gaza Strip
Since the early morning Physicians for Human Rights-Israel has received complaints concerning obstruction of medical teams from aiding the wounded in Rafah Refugee Camp.
The road from Rafah to Khan Younis has been closed by the Israeli army. Therefore, as of now, 12 wounded persons cannot be evacuated to the European Hospital- an advanced medical center. This leaves Yousef Al Najar Hospital – which does not have an intensive care unit and is lacking needed equipment – to deal alone with all the people and the enormous load.
Two ambulances were stuck in Tel Sultan neighborhood from the early morning, since the Israeli army did not allow them to reach 8 wounded and 3 dead people; it also did not allow them to return to the hospital. Only at about 13:00 were they released and were allowed to begin to search for the dead and wounded. As of now, the wounded have yet to be evacuated. Physicians for Human Rights-Israel is also investigating complaints that two ambulances were fired upon by the Israeli army in the same area.
Two ambulances that were in Khan Younis in the early morning are stuck at the checkpoint unable to return to the hospital.
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel turned to the media, Members of Knesset, and is considering taking legal action in order to stop the attack and allow for normal medical activity. Physicians for Human Rights-Israel condemns any attack on medical vehicles, institutions or staff, and calls on all sides to respect all relevant International Humanitarian Law.
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel continues to be in contact with medical and human rights organizations in the Gaza Strip and is constantly receiving updates and additional information.
For more details please contact:
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel http://www.phr.org.il
PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR UPDATES
Please also see:
Palestine Red Crescent Society (PCRS) http://www.palestinercs.org
Palestinian medics forced to flee for their safety
PCRS, Report, 18 May 2004 http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2693.shtml
Israel and the Occupied Territories: Stop destruction of homes and land by Israeli army http://web.amnesty.org/pages/isr-180504-action-eng
Busharon: The Countdown by Uri Avnery, 15.05.04
http://www.gush-shalom.org/archives/article303.html
From Abu Ghraib to Latin America: Map of U.S. Pattern of Abuse Grows
http://www.soaw.org
UPDATES
'140,000 people, 40 beds and a war'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1219817,00.html
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel continues to protest the recent events in the Rafah region, in the South Gaza Strip.
19:00, 19 May 2004]
According to sources and the media, the Israel army fired missiles from the air and tank fire at a Palestinian demonstration in that region. At least 9 people were killed, and at least 5 of them were children. Some 41 people were injured- about 24 of them children; some 12-15 are in critical condition. Four other people were killed in Tel Sultan today.
The Israeli army did not immediately allow ambulances to reach Rafah from Khan Younis. The hospital in Rafah is unable to treat the types of injuries the wounded are suffering from, and they need to be treated in the more advanced hospitals in Khan Younis. Physicians for Human Rights-Israel attempted to coordinate their passage so that they could evacuate the wounded. Shortly after Physicians for Human Rights-Israel sent a press release earlier today reporting on the situation, the 12 ambulances were allowed to enter Rafah. Six intensive care ambulances were allowed to travel back to Khan Younis, after having been delayed for a significant amount of time. They were, however, forced to take sand/dirt roads and not the regular road. Sources are relating that not all the ambulances were able to return to Khan Younis.
Also, sources are reporting that about four people were injured in Tel Sultan late this morning and that medical services are unable to evacuate them.
Since the start of the invasion of the Southern Gaza Strip Physicians for Human Rights-Israel has been coordinating and reporting on ambulances being detained and blocked and not being able to reach patients, injured and dead- Physicians for Human Rights-Israel has received numerous cases of ambulances and medical staff being denied freedom of movement. Also, yesterday ambulances were fired upon.
According to claims received this morning by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel two women in labor and a patient who needs dialysis treatment are unable to leave their homes in the Tel Sultan area. Currently, Physicians for Human Rights-Israel is trying to arrange for them to be able to reach the needed medical centers. There are also other patients in need of treatment but are unable to receive it.
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel strongly condemns these grave violations of International Law and calls on the Israeli army to immediately cease firing upon ambulances and civilians and to stop interfering the with evacuation of the wounded. Freedom of movement for medical staff is essential in order to treat the patients and the wounded. The Israeli army must respect all relevant International Law. As long as the Israeli army continues to control and occupy the region it must care for the medical and humanitarian needs of the population.
Previous update on Rafah from today, 19 May (afternoon):
http://www.phr.org.il/phr/Pages/PhrArticle_Unit.asp?Cat=11&art=671&Pcat=6
Joint Israeli-Palestinian advertisement in Hebrew media on the events in Gaza Strip: http://www.phr.org.il/Phr/Pages/PhrArticle_Unit.asp?Cat=11&art=670&Pcat=6
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel is receiving constant updates from the field.
For more and most current information:
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel http://www.phr.org.il
*Disclaimer due to the nature of the situation: This information has been verified as being as accurate as possible only until the time it was sent. Please speak with a spokesperson from Physicians for Human Rights-Israel in order to verify the most recent details.
Since the early morning Physicians for Human Rights-Israel has received complaints concerning obstruction of medical teams from aiding the wounded in Rafah Refugee Camp.
The road from Rafah to Khan Younis has been closed by the Israeli army. Therefore, as of now, 12 wounded persons cannot be evacuated to the European Hospital- an advanced medical center. This leaves Yousef Al Najar Hospital – which does not have an intensive care unit and is lacking needed equipment – to deal alone with all the people and the enormous load.
Two ambulances were stuck in Tel Sultan neighborhood from the early morning, since the Israeli army did not allow them to reach 8 wounded and 3 dead people; it also did not allow them to return to the hospital. Only at about 13:00 were they released and were allowed to begin to search for the dead and wounded. As of now, the wounded have yet to be evacuated. Physicians for Human Rights-Israel is also investigating complaints that two ambulances were fired upon by the Israeli army in the same area.
Two ambulances that were in Khan Younis in the early morning are stuck at the checkpoint unable to return to the hospital.
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel turned to the media, Members of Knesset, and is considering taking legal action in order to stop the attack and allow for normal medical activity. Physicians for Human Rights-Israel condemns any attack on medical vehicles, institutions or staff, and calls on all sides to respect all relevant International Humanitarian Law.
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel continues to be in contact with medical and human rights organizations in the Gaza Strip and is constantly receiving updates and additional information.
For more details please contact:
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel http://www.phr.org.il
PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR UPDATES
Please also see:
Palestine Red Crescent Society (PCRS) http://www.palestinercs.org
Palestinian medics forced to flee for their safety
PCRS, Report, 18 May 2004 http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article2693.shtml
Israel and the Occupied Territories: Stop destruction of homes and land by Israeli army http://web.amnesty.org/pages/isr-180504-action-eng
Busharon: The Countdown by Uri Avnery, 15.05.04
http://www.gush-shalom.org/archives/article303.html
From Abu Ghraib to Latin America: Map of U.S. Pattern of Abuse Grows
http://www.soaw.org
UPDATES
'140,000 people, 40 beds and a war'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1219817,00.html
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel continues to protest the recent events in the Rafah region, in the South Gaza Strip.
19:00, 19 May 2004]
According to sources and the media, the Israel army fired missiles from the air and tank fire at a Palestinian demonstration in that region. At least 9 people were killed, and at least 5 of them were children. Some 41 people were injured- about 24 of them children; some 12-15 are in critical condition. Four other people were killed in Tel Sultan today.
The Israeli army did not immediately allow ambulances to reach Rafah from Khan Younis. The hospital in Rafah is unable to treat the types of injuries the wounded are suffering from, and they need to be treated in the more advanced hospitals in Khan Younis. Physicians for Human Rights-Israel attempted to coordinate their passage so that they could evacuate the wounded. Shortly after Physicians for Human Rights-Israel sent a press release earlier today reporting on the situation, the 12 ambulances were allowed to enter Rafah. Six intensive care ambulances were allowed to travel back to Khan Younis, after having been delayed for a significant amount of time. They were, however, forced to take sand/dirt roads and not the regular road. Sources are relating that not all the ambulances were able to return to Khan Younis.
Also, sources are reporting that about four people were injured in Tel Sultan late this morning and that medical services are unable to evacuate them.
Since the start of the invasion of the Southern Gaza Strip Physicians for Human Rights-Israel has been coordinating and reporting on ambulances being detained and blocked and not being able to reach patients, injured and dead- Physicians for Human Rights-Israel has received numerous cases of ambulances and medical staff being denied freedom of movement. Also, yesterday ambulances were fired upon.
According to claims received this morning by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel two women in labor and a patient who needs dialysis treatment are unable to leave their homes in the Tel Sultan area. Currently, Physicians for Human Rights-Israel is trying to arrange for them to be able to reach the needed medical centers. There are also other patients in need of treatment but are unable to receive it.
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel strongly condemns these grave violations of International Law and calls on the Israeli army to immediately cease firing upon ambulances and civilians and to stop interfering the with evacuation of the wounded. Freedom of movement for medical staff is essential in order to treat the patients and the wounded. The Israeli army must respect all relevant International Law. As long as the Israeli army continues to control and occupy the region it must care for the medical and humanitarian needs of the population.
Previous update on Rafah from today, 19 May (afternoon):
http://www.phr.org.il/phr/Pages/PhrArticle_Unit.asp?Cat=11&art=671&Pcat=6
Joint Israeli-Palestinian advertisement in Hebrew media on the events in Gaza Strip: http://www.phr.org.il/Phr/Pages/PhrArticle_Unit.asp?Cat=11&art=670&Pcat=6
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel is receiving constant updates from the field.
For more and most current information:
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel http://www.phr.org.il
*Disclaimer due to the nature of the situation: This information has been verified as being as accurate as possible only until the time it was sent. Please speak with a spokesperson from Physicians for Human Rights-Israel in order to verify the most recent details.