Khaberni - Ahmed Jibril, the Director of Ambulance and Emergency at the Red Crescent, said that about 25,000 Palestinians were forced to flee from camps in the northern West Bank, specifically from Nur Shams camp, Jenin camp, and Tulkarm camp, following intensive military operations by the occupation forces.
Jibril explained that these displaced individuals are living in places of displacement with high and significant needs under difficult conditions and a lack of possibilities due to the siege and Israeli restrictions.
Jibril added that the Israeli escalation in the West Bank is divided into two parts: the first is the daily raid operations across different areas, including house raids, arrests, assaults, and live gunfire at Palestinians, while the second part consists of settler attacks, especially during the olive picking season, where incidents of beating and expelling farmers from their lands, burning trees, and stealing olive crops are recorded.
Jibril noted that the Red Crescent teams have documented several injuries, including those from live bullets and from severe beatings, mentioning that the Nablus governorate witnesses daily incursions and live gunfire, in addition to intimidations and a complete closure of the governorate with military barriers that impede the movement of Palestinians and ambulances.
Jibril mentioned that the rate of injuries "slightly decreased after the war stopped"; however, the raids are still ongoing, and the occupation army uses excessive force and fires live bullets directly without any warning measures. He explained that the West Bank has seen a continuous escalation in violations not only since October 7, 2023, but for years, especially in Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Qalqilya, before these attacks extended to all provinces of the West Bank.
Regarding medical readiness, the Director of Ambulance and Emergency confirmed that the Red Crescent has had sufficient preparations over the years, but there are significant difficulties in bringing necessary medical equipment to the West Bank, impacting the rescue capabilities in hospitals and ambulances.
He added that the recent period witnessed "unleashing settlers to wreak havoc" in areas of the West Bank, especially in villages around the settlements, where daily attacks occur from north to south, including shooting, burning of cars and properties, and closing iron gates that prevent Palestinians from accessing their lands to pick olives.
Jibril confirmed that the living needs of Palestinians are significant and high due to the economic siege, farmers' inability to reach their lands, and the proliferation of barriers and gates that have exacerbated the suffering of town and village residents and camp populations.
He pointed out that the Red Crescent crews themselves suffer from assaults and violations, noting the death of martyrs and injuries among crew members, in addition to daily violations against ambulances.
He emphasized the necessity of providing protection for medical crews according to international humanitarian law, but the occupation army and its government disregard these laws, increasing assaults whenever there are demands to stop them.
He indicated that the Palestinian Red Crescent, the International Red Cross, and international bodies are in constant coordination to document the violations to mitigate the pressures and attacks on the field crews.
He added, "What is required is to pressure the occupation state to stop these attacks, allow medical crews to work freely according to international humanitarian law, and hold accountable and prosecute those who carry out attacks against workers in the medical sector."
