‘No freedom at all’: Israeli closures leave West Bank patients trapped
Summary
After Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered a large military operation in the West Bank, many areas were sealed off, causing long delays at checkpoints for ambulances carrying patients to hospitals. These restrictions have made it difficult for medical teams to reach care on time, leading to tragic outcomes for some patients.Key Facts
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began a wide military operation in the West Bank following a settler attack.
- Palestinian ambulances face long waits and detours at checkpoints, extending travel distances from 20 km to up to 100 km.
- Even with prior permission, ambulances have suffered hours-long delays at checkpoints like Awarta.
- A pregnant woman, severely bleeding, lost her unborn baby after a 30-minute ambulance delay at a checkpoint where medical equipment was stopped.
- Other delays have caused deaths, including a three-month-old infant and a 30-year-old woman, when ambulances were blocked or delayed.
- Restrictions and closures in the West Bank have increased since a far-right Israeli government took power in late 2022 and after the war in Gaza began in October 2023.
- Medical access challenges have grown with multiple checkpoints and sealed entrances throughout Palestinian towns and villages.
- Health workers report extreme stress and difficulty performing their life-saving work under these conditions.
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