occupied Palestinian territory: OPT: Weekly Press Release 13 - 19 Dec 2003

During this reporting period, the Israeli Army has continued to violate the First and Fourth Geneva Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by denying freedom of movement to Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulances and its medical teams, who were threatened by gunfire, humiliated and verbally abused. Delays, denial of access and arbitrary searches had a negative impact on the sick and the wounded in Nablus, Qalqilia, Bethlehem and Gaza.
Nablus, 17 December 2003 (14:00): A PRCS ambulance was shot at by Israeli soldiers while on its way to transport injuries from Balatah Refugee Camp. The bullets penetrated the rear side of the ambulance causing damage to the stretcher.

In addition to the above, the following table lists incidents of denial and delay of access during this reporting period.

PRCS Branch Date Checkpoint Delay of access (unless indicated 'denied access') Nablus 17/12/2003 Shafi Shamron 90 minutes 18/12/2003 Entrance to the Old City 45 minutes 19/12/2003 Jerusalem street 30 minutes Qalqilia 13/12/2003 Galgolya 15 minutes Hebla Gate 35 minutes 13/12/2003 D.C.O. 30 minutes 13/12/2003 Near Jen Safoot village 30 minutes 13/12/2003 Amteen intersection Denied access 14/12/2003 D.C.O. 85 minutes 17/12/2003 D.C.O. 60 minutes Bethlehem 17/12/2003 Gilo Denied access Gaza/ Khan Younis 17/12/2003 Al-Mawasee area 50 minutes

These incidents constitute a breach of articles 19, 24 and 26 of the First Geneva Convention, which guarantees the protection of medical units, establishments and personnel, as well as articles 27, 55 and 56 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which calls for the protection of civilians.

For full text see http://www.palestinercs.org/IHL_Refrence_Text.htm

For more information please contact Press Office at:

phone: +972 2 240 6515/6/7
E-mail: pressoffice@palestinercs.org