Eyewitness reports from Ramallah
Donna Baillie | 30.03.2002 07:01
I have received the following eyewitness reports on the invasion of Ramallah from Huwaida Arraf, an American human rights activist.
I have received the following eyewitness reports from the invasion of Ramallah from Huweida Arraf, an American human rights activist.
March 29, 2002
[Ramallah]
International civilians are trying to assist ambulance teams in Ramallah as they attempt to get to wounded and dying people. The ambulances of the International Red Cross, Red Crescent and U.N. have been prevented from moving in the city. The ambulances are now coming under fire and international civilians have been trying to act as human shields on board since 1400 today. Internationals will continue to ride aboard the ambulances in the hope that this may increase the chances of getting to those in need.
The muka'ta has been under constant tank shelling and the electricity has been cut in the city since early this morning.
29 March
Urgent from Palestine
Friends as you may be hearing, seeing or reading the situation in Palestine is desperate. Israeli forces have invaded almost every area of Ramallah and we are under heavy tank shelling and gun fire. An unidentified number of people are dead and scores are injured. Ambulances have been prevented access and soldiers are opening fire on them.
There are international civilians in the areas under fire witnessing the carnage of the Israeli soldiers wreaked on the Palestinian people.
Other internationals have been beaten down for trying to get into Ramallah to help Palestinians.
We extend a plea from the Palestinians and the international witnesses to all of our friends abroad to immediately phone and/or fax your representatives and respective governments to demand urgent and decisive action to stop Israel’s brutal offensive on the Palestinian people
Gather, march, and protest in the streets!
We need the voices of all good people around the world!
PLEASE ACT NOW
29 March
Ramallah Update
Into the evening Israeli forces continue their offensive on the Palestinian people:
- After heavy shelling of the Presidential compound all day Israeli forces entered the compound with tanks and ground troops. The Palestinian police have reported that no one has been taken but there has been office to office break ins and searches and resistance from the compound.
- Two Palestinian Red Crescent ambulances carrying a doctor and two foreign international volunteers American citizen Adam Shapiro and Irish national Caoimhe Butterly have been held up for over 3 hours trying to reach the injured in the compound
Adam reported the ambulances being stopped and completely search and everybody was being forced out of the ambulances.
- At the time of this writing one ambulance carrying the doctor and the two foreign civilian volunteers have been let in. One ambulance was turned back. Two injured are being removed from the compound now.
- Al-Jazeera satellite channel was showing people bleeding and lying dead on the floor of the compound as the ambulances were held at the gate and the volunteers waiting to be let in to assist the injured could see smoke rising from the compound
- Electricity throughout Ramallah has been cut in all neighborhoods and water tanks have been shot up causing them to leak precious water. Israeli forces have been shooting at anything moving in the streets as their tanks are positioned throughout Palestinian neighborhoods.
- The Shabak and Israeli police entered a hotel in Jerusalem where an international solidarity delegation of French and Swiss are staying. The Israeli forces demanded all the passports of the 50 internationals. After the intervention of embassies and lawyers the passports were returned. It is unknown whether they will attempt to forcibly remove international witnesses in the area.
- Despite this form of intimidation by the Israeli authorities and army internationals are intent on staying and expressing their solidarity with the Palestinian people.
We urge everyone again to please keep working to stop the
continued atrocities being perpetrated by
Sharon and his government.
March 30, 2002
[Ramallah}
Two foreign civilians, U.S. citizen Adam Shapiro and Irish national, Caoimhe Butterly are stranded in Ramallah Presidential compound. Israeli military have cut phone lines in compound. The foreign civilians have related through text message that the Red Cross is urgently needed in the compound .
*******************************************************
Israeli army has threatened to blow-up commercial building in Ramallah, at least ten people inside the building.
March 29, 2002
[Ramallah]
International civilians are trying to assist ambulance teams in Ramallah as they attempt to get to wounded and dying people. The ambulances of the International Red Cross, Red Crescent and U.N. have been prevented from moving in the city. The ambulances are now coming under fire and international civilians have been trying to act as human shields on board since 1400 today. Internationals will continue to ride aboard the ambulances in the hope that this may increase the chances of getting to those in need.
The muka'ta has been under constant tank shelling and the electricity has been cut in the city since early this morning.
29 March
Urgent from Palestine
Friends as you may be hearing, seeing or reading the situation in Palestine is desperate. Israeli forces have invaded almost every area of Ramallah and we are under heavy tank shelling and gun fire. An unidentified number of people are dead and scores are injured. Ambulances have been prevented access and soldiers are opening fire on them.
There are international civilians in the areas under fire witnessing the carnage of the Israeli soldiers wreaked on the Palestinian people.
Other internationals have been beaten down for trying to get into Ramallah to help Palestinians.
We extend a plea from the Palestinians and the international witnesses to all of our friends abroad to immediately phone and/or fax your representatives and respective governments to demand urgent and decisive action to stop Israel’s brutal offensive on the Palestinian people
Gather, march, and protest in the streets!
We need the voices of all good people around the world!
PLEASE ACT NOW
29 March
Ramallah Update
Into the evening Israeli forces continue their offensive on the Palestinian people:
- After heavy shelling of the Presidential compound all day Israeli forces entered the compound with tanks and ground troops. The Palestinian police have reported that no one has been taken but there has been office to office break ins and searches and resistance from the compound.
- Two Palestinian Red Crescent ambulances carrying a doctor and two foreign international volunteers American citizen Adam Shapiro and Irish national Caoimhe Butterly have been held up for over 3 hours trying to reach the injured in the compound
Adam reported the ambulances being stopped and completely search and everybody was being forced out of the ambulances.
- At the time of this writing one ambulance carrying the doctor and the two foreign civilian volunteers have been let in. One ambulance was turned back. Two injured are being removed from the compound now.
- Al-Jazeera satellite channel was showing people bleeding and lying dead on the floor of the compound as the ambulances were held at the gate and the volunteers waiting to be let in to assist the injured could see smoke rising from the compound
- Electricity throughout Ramallah has been cut in all neighborhoods and water tanks have been shot up causing them to leak precious water. Israeli forces have been shooting at anything moving in the streets as their tanks are positioned throughout Palestinian neighborhoods.
- The Shabak and Israeli police entered a hotel in Jerusalem where an international solidarity delegation of French and Swiss are staying. The Israeli forces demanded all the passports of the 50 internationals. After the intervention of embassies and lawyers the passports were returned. It is unknown whether they will attempt to forcibly remove international witnesses in the area.
- Despite this form of intimidation by the Israeli authorities and army internationals are intent on staying and expressing their solidarity with the Palestinian people.
We urge everyone again to please keep working to stop the
continued atrocities being perpetrated by
Sharon and his government.
March 30, 2002
[Ramallah}
Two foreign civilians, U.S. citizen Adam Shapiro and Irish national, Caoimhe Butterly are stranded in Ramallah Presidential compound. Israeli military have cut phone lines in compound. The foreign civilians have related through text message that the Red Cross is urgently needed in the compound .
*******************************************************
Israeli army has threatened to blow-up commercial building in Ramallah, at least ten people inside the building.
Donna Baillie