PRCS increased its readiness to respond to the needs of Palestinians affected by Israeli attacks in various areas in the oPt. Below are the PRCS interventions during the reporting period.
General Situation in the Gaza Strip Since the beginning of the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip on the 8th of July 2014, the humanitarian and health situation has severely deteriorated there. The ongoing Israeli indiscriminate targeting of residential and civilian areas has led to the increase of people killed and injuries within the civilians at a large scale.
The Gaza Strip hospitals and health facilities provide medical services for the huge number of injuries despite the shortage of drugs and medical supplies due to the blockade imposed by the Israeli authorities. Furthermore, the shortage of fuel is catastrophic for the hospitals which rely on generators for their operations and services. The electricity is out 8 hours a day in the Gaza Strip.
Additionally, the unemployment rate is considered one of the highest rates on the international level in 2013. The spread of poverty and the decrease of living standards lead to great difficulties in meeting the basic needs of the population according to the reports of the international organizations working in the Strip.
PRCS’ Interventions:
I- The Gaza Strip PRCS’ programs, hospitals, clinics, staff and volunteers are working in the field to provide emergency medical and relief services to the wounded and to affected populations following these Israeli attacks against the Gaza Strip.
PRCS’ teams provided First Aid and transport to more than 358 wounded Palestinians, several of whom were transported to PRCS’ Al Quds Hospital in Gaza City and Al Amal Hospital in Khan Younis. The Society also evacuated the bodies of 48 killed from various Gaza Strip areas.
II- The West Bank
PRCS’ teams provided emergency and relief services to approx. 159 wounded Palestinians following attacks by Israeli occupation forces against Palestinians in the West Bank. PRCS’ volunteers in Al Aroob refugee camp (Hebron Governorate) evacuated the residents of 13 houses and guided them to safer places after excessive tear gas was fired at their homes.
Risks and attacks on the PRCS medical mission:
While carrying out their humanitarian duty, the PRCS medical mission are exposed to direct and indirect attacks and targeting which may jeopardize the lives of the teams and lead to damages in the facilities and ambulances. Following are some examples:
• Wednesday, 9/7/2014: During the Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip, a number of shells hit the PRCS EMS center in Jabaliya at 9:30 pm Wednesday night. Nine of the PRCS EMTs and volunteers were slightly injured while three EMTs suffered from bruises and fractures and were transferred to the PRCS Al Quds hospital in Gaza city. Moreover, three ambulances were completely destroyed and are now out of service and the building itself was damaged
• Tuesday, 8/7/2014: In Deir el Balah, three PRCS’ EMTs suffered bruises when their ambulance’s back window was smashed after a nearby home was bombed by the Israelis. The ambulance was on its way to evacuate some injuries from the area.
• Tuesday, 8/7/2014: During the evacuation of some houses in Al Aroub refugee camp Hebron governorate, one volunteer was left unconscious after inhaling tear gas fired by occupation forces at a house in which he was providing First Aid to a wounded Palestinian.
End.