Balata refuge camp, Nablus

2.30 am Israeli military tanks entered Balata refuge camp. Almost immediately, military forces occupied at least four family houses in the center of the refuge camp. Military personnel entered the homes early morning Wednesday November 14.

In one of the houses, there are 10 children (the youngest being 4 months), 7 women and 6 men. Two of the children have Thallasimia, a serious blood illness that requires several times weekly blood transfusions. Stress and fear can cause an aggravation of this illness that can be life-threatening. The aunt of the children in the house has informed medical workers that the children must be taken to the hospital immediately to receive blood transfusions or they could die. There is also an adult in the house with Thallasimia and at least one adult inside with diabetes who may require insulin shots. A female resident of the house was visiting her parents last night and when she returned in the morning she was not allowed to enter her home. After approximately two hours of efforts by International Solidarity Movement (ISM) volunteers to communicate with the family and the soldiers inside the house, an American volunteer, Samantha Liapes, made verbal contact with a soldier. The soldier said that Liapes could pick up the sick children the following morning but he would not release anyone from the house before then. Liapes explained that the children could die if they do not receive treatment today but the soldier refused to negotiate and ended the communication. The children remain inside, their lives at risk with each hour that passes.

There are at least three other newly occupied houses in central Balata. In one house, there are four families being held, comprising a total of 22 individuals. There are 10 children in the house, three of whom are under the age of one. The families are living on the first and second floor of the house and the third floor has been taken over by the Israeli military. The inhabitants living on the third floor were forcefully evacuated from the house. Soldiers have fired into the street on several occasions to enforce the curfew, which the children are breaking. Local residents are unable to leave their homes to buy food and other necessities because of the military presence. Next door to this house, in another home, 18 people are being held, six of whom are young children. The soldiers have isolated each of the three floors of the house and have confiscated all the inhabitants mobile phones. The soldiers are inhabiting the third floor along, keeping captive a newly married couple on the floor with them. An ISM volunteer, in communicating with family inside, confirmed that an adult with diabetes requires an insulin shot and does not have the medicine in the house. An ISM volunteer, Alison Keefe, is currently negotiating the delivery of insulin to this house.

In the third house, volunteers were able to make contact with an adult male resident who confirmed the health and safety of all the inhabitants, several of whom are small children.

It is very rare that the the Isreali military invades and occupies houses in the middle of the Balata Refugee camp. Balata camp residents are outraged by the extreme action the military has taken. They are worried for the health and safety of the families being held captive in their own homes. Balata residents have formed large vigils outside each of these homes, demanding information about the occupants, despite the risk residents take in being on the street during curfew. Balata residents, familiar with the tactics of the Israeli military, believe that the military has taken over homes in these central locations so that they can keep watch over the entire camp. All three of the home occupations are on upper floors of tall buildings, causing Balata residents to worry that the military plans to use these homes as bases for sniper attacks.

ISM volunteers continue to attempt to communicate with residents and soldiers in the occupied homes and will continue to do so into the night.

For more information call Samantha Liapes, ISM American Volunteer: 067-589-045
or Alison Keefe, ISM British Volunteer: 067829447
Susan, ISM Coordinator, Nablus: 059877091
Hussein, ISM Coordinator, Nablus: 059355404