Nablus : Documenting the Violations of the IHL in the Palestinian Occupied Territory

Following the Israeli Occupation to the West Bank and Gaza in 1967, Israel had been continuously objecting the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the Occupied Palestinian Territory( OPT ). The most comprehensive set of rules relating to occupation is found in the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949. Actually Israel has been using the term 'disputed' and instead if 'occupied'. Still, Israel has allowed the International Red Cross to work freely in the OPT ever since then, referring to its mission as a purely humanitarian one.

What happened in Nablus last week is worthy of reporting. The IDF invaded and "occupied' the MOH building and the PRCS emergency post, to use it in its military operations in Nablus that day.

GAZA, July 19, 2006 (WAVE)- Ministry of Health (MOE) strongly condemned Wednesday the Israeli offensive on paramedic and its buildings in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank City of Nablus.In a statement, the MOE said that Israeli soldiers deliberately opened fire at ambulances and medical teams in al-Maghazi Refugee Camp and wounded one of the field team, whose leg was cut.

The Israeli Army surrounded the PRCS Branch in Nablus and kidnapped three bodies from PRCS ambulances.

The President of PRCS, Mr. Young Al-Khatib, confirmed that at 6:00 AM, on July 19th 2006, the Israeli forces occupied PRCS Branch premises in Nablus. The Israeli Army is delaying and restricting the movement of PRCS ambulances and staff. Three military jeeps and one mechanical shove are on the premises and the zone is being used as a shooting base.


This even has not been well covered in the international media, but the ISRC said that this act "shows grave disregard by the IDF for its obligation to respect and protect medical units. Since 19 July, the ICRC has repeatedly raised this issue with the Israeli authorities and called on the IDF to immediately leave the premises of the PRCS."

Israel's selective blindness, and total disregard to HIL in the OPT is a disgrace. The acts of delaying paramedic and stopping them on checkpoints for long times not only violates IHL but also puts civilian lives in danger.

Being aware of and living all these violations, can we have any hope for a better life in this immoral occupation ?