On the 23rd of April the IDF blew up a prison just two
metres from the PA compound.
As we spoke part of the church of the nativity was
burning.
There are currently 50 internationals inside the
compound and at the time of our telephone interview,
there were 50 more internationals or Israelis trying
to get into the compound in an internatioanl
solidarity movement action, they were being shot at
with bullets and stun bombs.
Conditions are worsening inside the compound, there
has been no replenishing of food or water for nine
days and what little that remains is being rationed,
half a plate of rice between two people daily.
There is absolutly no medicine of any kind and one man
who lies riddled with nine bullets, is in a critical
condition.
There are 12- 15 amputees without any access to
antibiotoics or pain relief.
All in all the conditions are bleak.
There have been some private meetings between Arafat
and William Burns, Powell's deputy. None of the
Palistinian delegates are allowed to participate in
the process.
There has also been a private meeting between Arafat
and Javier Salana and once again the Palastinian
delegates were prevented from attending. There is deep
concern that these meetings are all words no action,
as explosions outside the compound intensify getting
closer by the hour. The threat of further attack from
the IDF is becoming ever more immanent as these
explosions increase.
The general view is that until Israel pulls its tanks
out of the area there can be no possibility of any
kind of peace process going ahead