PRCS Forced to Suspend Its Ambulance Services

PRCS suspends emergency night service in Ramallah due to attacks by Israeli army on ambulances and the Red Cross. PRCS holds Israeli army solely responsible for providing care for sick and injured.

The Israeli army invasion and takeover of Ramallah and North Gaza (Jabalya & Beit Lahia) over the past 24 hours has left 32 dead and over 100 injured. The army has withdrawn from Gaza the morning of the 12th (leaving behind 26 deaths and over 70 injuries).

Ramallah/Al-Bireh cities are under complete curfew with sporadic gun battles erupting frequently throughout the city.

PRCS has been forced to suspend its ambulance services in the Ramallah region after its ambulances and Red Cross escort jeep were fired on at 17:15. The Red Cross Jeep was hit, but no injuries reported. The call was coordinated between Red Cross and Israeli Army liaison officers, and a green light given to proceed, however the convoy was still attacked.

Earlier this morning 10:15, Israeli army troops opened fire for over 15 min at the PRCS maternity hospital in Al-Bireh causing severe damage to the building (on each of the 5 floors). The quick reaction of the staff, resulted in no injuries being reported. The attack damaged rooms for mothers and the newborn. Patients, new mothers, and babies have been evacuated.

Israeli tanks surround Ramallah hospital, the main ministry of health facility providing emergency room care. Tanks have fired at vehicles and persons attempting to approach the hospital and have severed telephone and electricity lines. New Ramallah hospital is currently operating on generator power.

PRCS central dispatch has been receiv-ing calls all day from the public requesting assistance of medicines, food, and evacuation. Israeli army troops have taken over several buildings in Ramallah/Al-Bireh & Beitunia, locking residents of these buildings in cramped spaces (1 room/flat to 40 or 50 individuals; entire families & children). It appears that the army employs such acts to use the families as human shields.

Source: press release March 12, 2002, www.palestinercs.org