Direct Action for A Free Palestine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Amanda Ream

April 15, 2002 212-541-4226 x241 Reports of Destruction from 6 International Human Rights Activists Now in Nablus, West Bank

Six international human rights observers are in Nablus. They are attempting today to enter the Balata refugee camp. Despite media reports that Nablus is open, it is still a closed military zone, according to the observers.

* Internationals are riding in ambulances to protect those inside and to try to ensure that they reach the hospital.

* Ambulance crews and paramedics are being especially targeted by the military. Yesterday one crew (which included an international) was forced to get out of their vehicle and strip, then forced to stand naked outdoors for 4 hours while the military periodically shot at the ground near their feet. 8 ambulance workers have been killed in the past week. Ambulances are also delivering bread and rice.

* There were 10 days of curfew in Nablus; it's been lifted for periods over the past couple days but
yesterday, when it was lifted and people ventured outside, they were shot at.

* There is little water (Palestinian water trucks are getting shot at) and little food. Electricity is sporadic.

Says Jordan Flaherty, an observer from Manhattan, "We've seen churches, hospitals, schools
and buildings built over 2000 years ago destroyed by the Israeli military.” The casbah, the old city of Nablus, is almost totally destroyed.

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