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TITLE: Attacking Paramedics |
AUTHOR: |
PUB: LAW |
DATE: January 30, 2001 |
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The Israeli army has killed Palestinian paramedics in the process of rescuing injured people and transporting them to hospital, despite the fact that their uniforms made their status more than clear to the soldiers only metres away. The following paramedics were murdered: - Basam Al Balbisi, 45, a paramedic for the Gaza Red Crescent. - Amjad Daraghmi, 22, a paramedic for Nablus National Security paramedics. - Maher Abeed, 22, a paramedic for Gaza National Security paramedics. 69 other Palestinian paramedics were wounded by gunshot in the course of their duty. On over a hundred reported occasions, ambulances have been delayed on roads leading to hospitals (such as Al Maqasid Hospital in East Jerusalem) by military checkpoints, as well as by settlers who often block roads. Israeli soldiers and settlers fired at 58 ambulances and bombed five with artillery shells. In 34 cases live ammunition was fired at ambulances; in 29 cases they were targeted by rubber-coated steel bullets; teargas was used in 13 cases; and stones in 13 others, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent and LAW Society?s documentation. Assaulting Palestinian paramedics: Dr. Mustafa Al Barghouthi, head of the Union of Medical Relief Committees, told LAW, "The Israeli occupation authorities assault us without the slightest remorse, and they intentionally hinder our work." Doctors for Human Rights stated in a report that Israeli soldiers and settlers have committed many human rights violations, including shooting at ambulances and doctors, as well as preventing doctors from reaching their places of work and preventing medicine from reaching Palestinian villages. Cases monitored by LAW Society: Kamil Idkaidik, a 26 year-old ambulance driver, told LAW, "I was on duty, in uniform, at Al Aqsa during clashes on 6 October 2000. When the clashes ended, Israeli soldiers and police disguised as Arabs, wearing masks and bandanas reading, 'there is no God but Allah,' entered the yard of Al Aqsa and opened fire randomly. I was the first to get shot by them. They shot me three times in my left leg, and the storm of Israeli troops that poured into the area after that also shot me with rubber coated steel bullets in the left arm, the back, and the head. Finally some Palestinians rescued me." Attacking ambulances: · Settlers near Kufur Harris attacked a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance on 3 October 2000, smashing the windows and wounding six people. · In the Bethlehem area, an ambulance carrying Dr. Maher Suleiman and Dr. Samir Nahal miraculously escaped an artillery shell that landed two metres away. However, the shell destroyed the ambulance's windscreen and tires. · Israeli forces attacked a Red Crescent ambulance in Al Bireh on 10 November 2000. · On 24 November 2000, Israeli forces attacked a Red Crescent ambulance with automatic firearms. Closure and difficulties in medical services: The closure imposed by the Israeli army has been known to kill or lead to deterioration in health. For instance, Israeli forces blocked the way of the ambulance carrying Najat Abdul Razik, 20, who was injured when her house collapsed during an Israeli bombing. Dr. Ahmad Bitawi told LAW that on 3 October 2000 he received an urgent call to go to Jericho hospital. When he arrived at the Jericho checkpoint in an ambulance, the Israeli soldiers stationed there forced him, after long delay, to take another, longer route. Dr. Jawher Sayigh told LAW that Israelis use all kinds of excuses to prevent medics from rescuing injured Palestinians. Arresting the wounded: Salem Jad Allah, 37, a paramedic from Anata, told LAW that on 21 December 2000 he was taking 29 year-old Nasir Awida to Ramallah hospital for treatment for his leg injury. The ambulance was stopped at a checkpoint near Jerusalem airport. The ambulance driver was then forced to drive to a nearby outpost, from where the injured man was taken into an Israeli ambulance after a two-hour delay. Taking the wounded to Jordan: Israeli forces stopped five ambulances taking seriously wounded Palestinians to Jordan including, according to Red Crescent sources, an ambulance carrying Mohammad Abu Zaid, who was in critical condition after being shot in the chest. The ambulance was later allowed to resume its journey. Field hospitals: Israeli soldiers broke into several field hospitals created for the large number of casualties. Dr. Jawher told LAW that the field hospitals help hospitals in dealing with light injuries and in diagnosis for fast treatment. Shortage of medical supplies: Dr. Jawher added, "We have a lot of trouble finding medical supplies." Dr. Riyad Al Zanon, Palestinian Health Minister, reportedly stated that the Ministry needs ten million dollars' worth of supplies. The International Red Cross: In a 21 November 2000 press release, the International Red Cross denounced the Israeli measures against Palestinians and Palestinian paramedics in the Palestinian territories. The organisation demanded the Israeli authorities to respect medics and allow free movement to ambulances and medical teams. International law: The above Israeli measures violate international law, especially Article 16 of the IV Geneva Convention, which states "The wounded and sick, as well as the infirm, and expectant mothers, shall be the object of particular protection and respect," and Article 17, which states "The parties to the conflict shall endeavour to conclude local agreements for the removal from besieged or encircled areas, of wounded, sick, infirm, and aged persons, children and maternity cases, and for the passages of the ministers of all religions, medical personnel and medical equipment on their way to such areas." Article 18 states "Civilian hospitals organised to give care to the wounded and sick, the infirm and maternity cases, may in no circumstances be the object of attacks, but shall at all times be respected and protected by the Parties to the conflict." END |