Situation in Gaza
- Details
- Published on Saturday, 26 July 2014 10:00
- Written by editor
64 Palestinians and two Swedes trapped inside [draft]
Gaza, 25 July. 2014
At 19:00 local time, Beit Hanoun Hospital was hit by an Israeli tank shell. Inside the hospital are 61 medical staff, civilians, three patients and two ISM (International Solidarity Movement) volunteers, Charlie Andreasson and Fred Ekblad, both from Sweden, who are all trapped inside.
Israeli soldiers are in the area, approximately 150 meters behind the hospital. Gunfire can be heard in the area.
The ISM is urging the international community call their representatives to demand that they fulfill their obligation to insure that Israel adhere to international law and immediately cease to... target medical staff and facilities.
Background: Medical teams under fire
International volunteers, including some from Sweden (friends of our CAIA member), the U.S., and the UK, went to Beit Hanoun in North Gaza to accompany ambulances following the targeting of an ambulance in Beit Hanoun this afternoon by Israeli forces. The Israeli attack on the ambulance killed one paramedic and the critical injury of another
This is the second Israeli attack on Gazan medical facilities and personnel in the last 24 hours. The first resulted in the destruction of Al Durrah Children’s Hospital in Gaza City last night. A two year-old child in the Intensive Care Unit was killed, and 30 others injured.
Due to shelling nearby, Beit Hanoun hospital has evacuated most of its patients to al-Shifa Hospital. Three patients remain in the hospital.
Since Israel began its attack on Gaza, 13 ambulances have been completely destroyed and two paramedics have been killed. Throughout the massacre, medical staff and facilities have been repeatedly targeted.
"Israel's attacks on Gaza hospitals are ongoing, with those in areas by the separation barrier forced to evacuate their patients, paramedics and other rescue workers are doing what they can under conditions of great risk." stated Joe Catron, U.S. International Solidarity Movement activist.
According to the Gazan Ministry of Health, six out of Gaza’s 13 hospitals have already been severely damaged. One, el-Wafa rehabilitation hospital, has been completely destroyed. Two medical clinics have been completely destroyed, seven other clinics have been damaged, 13 medical staff members have been injured, and five have been killed.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza has demanded, "the immediate cessation of Israeli occupation military attacks against medical facilities and personnel in Gaza, and demands that the international community soundly condemn this latest Israeli atrocity, and hold Israel accountable for these war crimes."
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CAIA Active Members Committee