Occupation Forces Continue to Obstruct PRCS Medical Missions

Al-Bireh, April 14, 2022 – Israeli occupation authorities have committed numerous violations against Palestinians and their properties during the recent escalation in the oPt. Several of these violations were committed against PRCS medical missions and endanger the lives and health of Palestinians. They include denial of access to patients and wounded Palestinians as well as obstruction of emergency medical services. Since the beginning of April, PRCS has documented 5 cases of denial of access to patients, 3 attacks on PRCS teams and the direct targeting of one PRCS ambulance by Israeli occupation authorities.

The denial and obstruction of access to patients as well as attacks against medical missions constitute a blatant violation of IHL provisions, in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War which is legally applicable to the Israeli occupation of the oPt. PRCS calls on the international community, including the UN General Assembly, the UN Security Council, international Human Rights organizations and states parties to the Geneva Conventions to pressure Israeli occupation authorities to put an end to their violations against PRCS medical missions and to abide by the provisions of International Humanitarian Law.