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13 March 2002 by Sébastien Carliez in Ramallah The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has experienced one of its most tragic weeks, marked by the killing of two members of its emergency health teams and the wounding of at least eight others. Dr. Khalil Sulieman, Head of the PRCS Emergency Medical Service was fired upon by Israeli troops in his ambulance on March 4 in Jenin and paramedic Ibrahim Assad died in similar circumstances in Tulkarem on March 7. A United Nations paramedic was also killed in the same incident in Tulkarem. "This is one of the darkest and most tragic weeks since I have been with the Palestine Red Crescent", said PRCS President Mr. Younis Al-Khatib, who has worked for the National Society for 18 years. Five PRCS paramedics were wounded in Jenin on March 4 - three of them suffered severe burns. On March 7, two were wounded in Tulkarem and one in Gaza, who owes his life to the bullet-proof vest he was wearing. All PRCS emergency medical personnel now wear bullet-proof vests for protection, as agreed with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The head of the Federation office in the West Bank, Ola Skuterud commented: "This situation could hamper the entire humanitarian mission of the Palestine Red Crescent." What has profoundly upset the PRCS emergency teams is that the ambulances fired upon in Jenin and Tulkarem had received proper clearance from the Israeli authorities, via the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). On March 8, at noon, to protest against the killing and wounding of medical personnel, and attacks against its ambulances, 30 members of the PRCS ambulance staff, doctors, nurses and volunteers, led by PRCS President Al-Khatib, drove a convoy of ten ambulances to the Israeli army checkpoint which separates Ramallah (West Bank) from Jerusalem. Hand in hand, in silence, they walked fifty metres down to the checkpoint, where they faced Israeli soldiers for a few minutes and then returned to their vehicles and drove off. Since late September 2000, when the most recent cycle of violence began, 70% of PRCS ambulances have been shot at, destroyed or damaged. Some 100 ambulances are currently in use in the West Bank and Gaza, operated by a staff of 250 emergency service personnel, and supported by 1500 Red Crescent volunteers, who are on alert around the clock. Despite the latest losses, the Palestinian Red Crescent has re-stated its commitment to continuing its humanitarian mission. Following the shootings, the ICRC and the International Federation have made very strong appeals to the Israeli authorities to respect the humanitarian mission of the PRCS emergency medical personnel and have reiterated that attacks on ambulances and medical personnel were flagrant violations of the Geneva Conventions. They have urged both sides to respect the safety and security of PRCS as well as Magen David Adom (MDA) health personnel. Several MDA - the Israeli counterpart of the PRCS - personnel have also been injured and ambulances damaged and destroyed since September 2000. Last week, MDA President, Dr. Moshe Melloul wrote to his Palestinian counterpart, expressing condolences and appreciation for "your commitment to provide humanitarian aid and emergency care to all in need. You may rest assured that MDA itself will keep to those same commitments too." The ICRC and the Federation have categorically refuted Israeli accusations that PRCS ambulances transport arms and armed men. PRCS President Al-Khatib, has called for international support and protection for medical teams in the West Bank and Gaza and for the prosecution of the people responsible for the killings. Since September 2000, three Palestine Red Crescent workers have been killed. In October 2000, Bassam Balbeisi, an emergency medical technician, was killed in Gaza as he was trying to save two civilians caught in cross-fire between Palestinians and Israelis. More than 140 PRCS volunteers and personnel have been injured since September 2000. Related links More news and reports on Palestine Red Crescent operations Palestine Red Crescent annual appeal 2002 Palestine Red Crescent emergency appeal 2001 . |
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Some 100 PRCS
ambulances are currently in use in the West Bank and Gaza, operated
by a staff of 250 emergency service personnel, and supported
by 1500 Red Crescent volunteers. (p7443)