<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1">
</head>
<body bgcolor="#CCFFFF" text="#000000">
<div class="article">
<h1 class="article-title">ISM Update: Medical Teams Under Fire</h1>
<div class="article-subtitledetails">
<span class="article-details">
<span class="article-detail"><img class="icon"
src="cid:part1.04000701.07090104@freedomarchives.org"
alt="author"> Saturday July 26, 2014 04:16</span><span
class="article-detail"><img class="icon"
src="cid:part2.09050705.06030903@freedomarchives.org"
alt="author"> by International Solidarity Movement</span></span>
<br>
<b><small><small><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.imemc.org/article/68621">http://www.imemc.org/article/68621</a></small></small></b><br>
</div>
<p class="article-subtitle">As Israel targets the wounded,
international volunteers to stay at al-Shifa hospital</p>
<blockquote class="article-intro">At 19:00 <a style=""
href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ih/9786135523980"
class="skimwords-link" target="_blank" data-skimwords-id="1"
data-skimlinks-editor="0" data-skimwords-word="Beit%20Hanoun"
data-group-id="1427392" data-skim-creative="300004"
data-skim-product="1" title="Shopping link added by SkimWords"
occurrence="1" data-skim-node-id="293:At1900BeitHanounHosp_1">Beit
Hanoun</a><span style="position: absolute;"></span><span
style="position: absolute;"></span> 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.</blockquote>
This afternoon Israeli forces targeted an ambulance with two
paramedics inside in <a style=""
href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ih/9786135523980"
class="skimwords-link" target="_blank" data-skimwords-id="1"
data-skimlinks-editor="0" data-skimwords-word="Beit%20Hanoun"
data-group-id="1427392" data-skim-creative="300004"
data-skim-product="1" title="Shopping link added by SkimWords"
occurrence="1" data-skim-node-id="167:ThisafternoonIsraeli_1">Beit
Hanoun</a><span style="position: absolute;"></span><span
style="position: absolute;"></span>, North Gaza. One paramedic
was killed and another was critically injured.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
“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.<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.”<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
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.”<br>
<br>
“Israel’s ruthless onslaught against Gaza’s hospitals, clinics,
and ambulances has pushed its <a style=""
href="http://skimlinks.pgpartner.com/mrdr.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fskimlinks.pgpartner.com%2Fsearch.php%2Fform_keyword%3Dhealth%2Bcare"
class="skimwords-link" target="_blank"
data-skimwords-id="1959362" data-skimlinks-editor="0"
data-skimwords-word="health%20care" data-group-id="0"
data-skim-creative="300003" data-skim-product="1959362"
title="Shopping Link Added by SkimWords" occurrence="1"
data-skim-node-id="392:“Israel’sruthlessons_1">health care</a><span
style="position: absolute;"></span><span style="position:
absolute;"></span> 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.<br>
<br>
“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.<br>
<br>
“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.
<div class="article-details">
<span class="article-details">
<span class="article-detail"><br>
</span><span class="article-detail"><a sl-processed="1"
href="mailto:chris%20at%20imemc%20dot%20org"></a></span></span>
</div>
<div class="article-related-link-relatedlink">Related Link(s): <a
sl-processed="1"
href="http://www.imemc.org/newswire?search_text=international+solidarity+movement&button=Search+%3E%3E"
title="http://www.imemc.org/newswire?search_text=international+solidarity+movement&button=Search+%3E%3E">http://www.imemc.org/newswire?search_text=international...3E%3E</a></div>
</div>
<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
415 863.9977
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.freedomarchives.org">www.freedomarchives.org</a>
</div>
</body>
</html>