Jan Hus
31-03-02, 02:50
ICRC 'shocked' by explosives in Palestinian ambulance
By Judy Siegel
JERUSALEM (March 31) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said at the weekend it was "shocked and dismayed" that explosives were hidden by Palestinians in a Palestine Red Crescent Society's (PRCS) ambulance.
The ICRC said it "condemns such abuse of an ambulance and of the Red Crescent emblem" and called for Palestinian "respect of the ambulances' medical mission."
After the Israeli authorities reported the discovery of explosives in the ambulance, with a child lying on top of them, ICRC delegates made immediate contact with the Israeli authorities and the PRCS and went to the site near Ramallah where the ambulance was stopped.
"There they observed how a device was taken out from the vehicle and detonated in the presence of a number of onlookers," the ICRC said. "Until a full investigation has been made, the ICRC is not in a position to comment further on this incident. The ICRC understands the security concerns of the Israeli authorities and has always acknowledged their right to check ambulances, provided it does not unduly delay medical evacuations."
The ICRC statement continued: "More than ever, the ICRC is committed to ensuring that both Israeli and Palestinian wounded and sick have access to medical services. This can be achieved only if the medical services operate unobstructed and in full transparency. The ICRC, in cooperation with the PRCS, will continue the dialogue with all the parties involved to take new measures to that effect."
The ICRC again urged all the parties involved in the ongoing violence "to refrain from any abuse of the life-saving service provided by the emergency medical workers, and to show absolute respect for the medical services."
By Judy Siegel
JERUSALEM (March 31) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said at the weekend it was "shocked and dismayed" that explosives were hidden by Palestinians in a Palestine Red Crescent Society's (PRCS) ambulance.
The ICRC said it "condemns such abuse of an ambulance and of the Red Crescent emblem" and called for Palestinian "respect of the ambulances' medical mission."
After the Israeli authorities reported the discovery of explosives in the ambulance, with a child lying on top of them, ICRC delegates made immediate contact with the Israeli authorities and the PRCS and went to the site near Ramallah where the ambulance was stopped.
"There they observed how a device was taken out from the vehicle and detonated in the presence of a number of onlookers," the ICRC said. "Until a full investigation has been made, the ICRC is not in a position to comment further on this incident. The ICRC understands the security concerns of the Israeli authorities and has always acknowledged their right to check ambulances, provided it does not unduly delay medical evacuations."
The ICRC statement continued: "More than ever, the ICRC is committed to ensuring that both Israeli and Palestinian wounded and sick have access to medical services. This can be achieved only if the medical services operate unobstructed and in full transparency. The ICRC, in cooperation with the PRCS, will continue the dialogue with all the parties involved to take new measures to that effect."
The ICRC again urged all the parties involved in the ongoing violence "to refrain from any abuse of the life-saving service provided by the emergency medical workers, and to show absolute respect for the medical services."