PHR-Israel: Update on Rafah

PHR-Israel: Update on Rafah

[for immediate release- 15:30, 19 May 2004]

Physicians for Human Rights-Israel protests the recent events in the Rafah region, in the South Gaza Strip.

According to sources and the media, the Israel army fired 6 missiles and tank fire at a Palestinian demonstration in that region. Many children were present. It seems many of the injured and killed are children.

The Israeli army is not allowing ambulances to reach Rafah from Khan Younis at this time. Physicians for Human rights-Israel continues to attempt to coordinate their passage so that they can evacuate the wounded. Since the start of the invasion of the Southern Gaza Strip Physicians for Human Rights-Israel has been coordinating and reporting on ambulances being detained and blocked and not being able to reach the injured or dead. Also, yesterday ambulances were fired upon.

Over 10 Palestinians were killed in Rafah this morning and early afternoon in addition to the 20 killed yesterday. Dozens have been injured.

According to claims received by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel a woman in labor and a patient who needs dialysis treatment are unable to leave their home in the Tel Sultan area. Currently, Physicians for Human Rights-Israel is trying to arrange for them to be able to reach the needed medical centers.

Physicians for Human Rights-Israel strongly condemns these grave violations of International Law and calls on the Israeli army to immediately cease firing upon ambulances and civilians and to stop interfering with evacuation of the wounded. The Israeli army must respect all relevant International Law.

Yesterday's update on Rafah: http://www.phr.org.il/Phr/Pages/PhrArticle_Unit.asp?Cat=11&art=668&Pcat=6

Joint Israeli-Palestinian advertisement in Hebrew media on the events in Gaza Strip: http://www.phr.org.il/Phr/Pages/PhrArticle_Unit.asp?Cat=11&art=670&Pcat=6

Physicians for Human Rights-Israel is receiving constant updates from the field.

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