Families Being Held Hostage In Nablus

Families Being Held Hostage In Nablus

Possibly Being Used as Human Shields

[Nablus, West Bank] At approximately 4:00PM this afternoon the Israeli military surrounded the Abu Raed building, near Al-Najah University and the Nablus Specialty Hospital. The building houses two families and university students, which the military evacuated from the building but are holding hostage in the area. ISM volunteers concerned that there was much shooting by the military negotiated with the soldiers to pull the children out of the area. Currently 6 children between the ages of 4 and 14 years are being tended to at the Nablus Specialty Hospital.

There are approximately 7 military jeeps in area. Snipers have taken up position in the Abu Raed building and in another house next to the hospital. Two Palestinian men are being detained in the second house, tied up and made to crouch on the floor. ISM volunteers witnessed a box being brought in by the military, which at the time of this writing set off an explosion.

Soldiers have thrown sound grenades at journalists trying to cover the scene and are impeding the flow of medical personnel trying to provide medical relief. One ambulance carrying a patient needing operation was held up for 10 minutes and currently another ambulance is being detained.

ISM volunteers are trying to negotiate the release of the other Palestinians still being held by the military – 10 men and 5 women, in a very dangerous situation. Thusfar soldiers are refusing. They are possibly keeping the Palestinians there to serve as human shields for the Israeli soldiers carrying out their operation. The children are crying for their mothers.

Please help! Call the Nablus DCO and ask that they see to the immediate release of these civilians being held hostage. Complain about the attack on journalists, the detention of medical personnel and the ongoing terrorization of the people of Nablus,

Nablus DCO:

Tel: +972-2-548-6217/5

Fax: +972-548-6218

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