[News] Israel targets the wounded - Medical Teams Under Fire

[Anti-Imperialist News]

  ISM Update: Medical Teams Under Fire

author Saturday July 26, 2014 04:16author by International Solidarity 
Movement
*http://www.imemc.org/article/68621*

As Israel targets the wounded, international volunteers to stay at 
al-Shifa hospital

    At 19:00 Beit Hanoun
    <http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ih/9786135523980>Hospital was hit
    by an Israeli tank shell. Inside the hospital are 61 medical staff,
    three patients, civilians, and ISM volunteers who are all trapped
    inside. Israeli soldiers are in the area, approximately 150 meters
    behind the hospital. Gunfire can be heard in the area.

This afternoon Israeli forces targeted an ambulance with two paramedics 
inside in Beit Hanoun 
<http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ih/9786135523980>, North Gaza. One 
paramedic was killed and another was critically injured.

This is the third 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.

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."

International volunteers from countries including Spain, Sweden, the 
United states, the United Kingdom, France, New Zealand, Australia, and 
Venezuela have begun a constant protective presence in various locations 
at the al-Shifa Hospital.

At 2:30 PM this afternoon, a press conference will be held at al-Shifa 
regarding the Israeli attacks on the health and emergency sector in Gaza.

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 
clinic and 12 ambulances have been completely destroyed, seven other 
clinics have been damaged, 12 medical staff members have been injured, 
and four have been killed.

Dr. Medhat Abass, Director General of the Ministry of Health told the 
International Solidarity Movement that, "People are terrified. No where 
is safe. The hospitals are not safe. The streets are not safe. Homes are 
not safe. The children and the wounded are not safe. Wounded people 
leave the bombed areas in ambulances and the ambulances are targeted and 
hospitals are targeted. There are no red lines."

"Israel's ruthless onslaught against Gaza's hospitals, clinics, and 
ambulances has pushed its health care 
<http://skimlinks.pgpartner.com/mrdr.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fskimlinks.pgpartner.com%2Fsearch.php%2Fform_keyword%3Dhealth%2Bcare>sector, 
already struggling under siege, to the breaking point. With deaths and 
injuries, including those from Israeli attacks on medical facilities, 
rapidly mounting, al-Shifa is a red line the world cannot allow Israel 
to cross." Stated Joe Catron, a U.S. ISM activist now in al-Shifa.

"They [the Israeli military] are targeting medical facilities, the 
wounded, the sick, and our children, all over the Gaza Strip. They want 
us to know that no where is safe." Stated Dr. Basman Alashi, the 
executive director of el-Wafa Rehabilitation Hospital. El-Wafa was 
repeatedly bombed and shelled by Israeli forces, forcing the evacuation 
of all patients and staff on the 17th then attacked by the military once 
again on the 23rd, completely destroying it.

"With so many hospitals already dysfunctional due to attacks by the 
Israeli Occupational Forces, we are deeply concerned with how to 
safeguard al-Shifa Hospital. It is already overwhelmed with wounded and 
dying people. If Israel continues bombing, patients are going to end up 
on the street, as there will be nowhere else for them to go. If anything 
happens, let it be known that the world was forewarned and did nothing 
to stop this." Stated Rina Andolini, a UK volunteer now in al-Shifa.

<mailto:chris%20at%20imemc%20dot%20org>
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