Call for the immediate arrangement of a channel for civilians to escape the battle zone

[Jefferson23]

Published:
24 Jul 2014

The offensive in the Gaza Strip has resulted in widespread injury to the civilian population. At the time of writing, and since the fighting began, at least 718 people have been killed, with most sources and estimates indicating that at least 70% of those killed were civilians who were not involved in the hostilities. Over 140,000 people have abandoned their homes and taken shelter in UNWRA buildings. In addition to serious damage to the water and electricity infrastructure, there has been serious damage to hospitals and medical institutions and destruction of residential buildings.

This appeal is concerned with the absence of any secure area in the Gaza Strip to which civilians can escape to protect their lives and ensure their safety and that of their families. We demand the immediate opening of an escape route for civilians to escape the battle zone.

Read full text of the letter

The organizations who signed the letter:

Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel / Association for Civil Rights in Israel / Bimkom - Planners for Planning Rights / B’Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories / Gisha – Legal Center for Freedom of Movement / HaMoked - Center for the Defence of the Individual / Machsom Watch / Physicians for Human Rights – Israel / Public Committee Against Torture in Israel / Rabbis for Human Rights / Yesh Din – Volunteers for Human Rights

http://www.btselem.org/press_release/20140724_joint_letter_on_evacuation

[Jefferson23]

1. #Gaza: Trapped Medical Staff/ISM Volunteers Request Help

#GazaUnderAttack

Dear friends,

At 19:00 Beit Hanoun Hospital was hit by an Israeli tank shell. Inside the hospital are 61 medical staff, civilians, three patients and two ISM volunteers, Charlie Andreasson and Fred Ekblad, both from Sweden, who are all trapped inside.

Israeli soldiers are close to the hospital. Gunfire can be heard in the area. A thick smoke is rolling into the hospital.

We need you to call your own representatives to demand that they fulfill their obligation to insure that Israel adheres to international law and immediately cease to target medical staff and facilities.

Some phone numbers are provided below.

Background: Medical teams under fire

international volunteers, including some from Sweden, the U.S., and the UK, went to Beit Hanoun in North Gaza to accompany ambulances fallowing the targeting of an ambulance in Beit Hanoun this afternoon by Israeli forces. The Israeli attack on the ambulance killed one paramedic and the critical injury of another


http://pastebin.com/EwF6hV1m