JENIN: The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) expressed on Monday deep concern and disappointment at the occupation’s shrinking of the ‘humanitarian space” in its ongoing military onslaught on the northern West Bank, in particular on Jenin Governorate.

The occupation forces continued today their military aggression against Jenin city and its camp for the sixth consecutive day, preventing PRCS crews from reaching the wounded and sick in different areas of the city, most notably the Jenin camp.

Israeli forces continued to prevent humanitarian and relief aid from reaching the affected, and also directly targeted the Society’s ambulances with live gunfire to prevent them from responding to humanitarian calls, resulting in the injury of two paramedics and a volunteer doctor.

PRCS warned of the dangers of the unabated aggression launched by the occupation forces six days ago against the city of Jenin, its camp and its villages. PRCS underscored the massive destruction inflicted upon houses, properties, infras
tructure and electricity and water networks, which rendered the entire area uninhabitable.

It further highlighted the Israeli ban on the entry of basic supplies to the affected areas and on the access to medical services necessary for the survival of citizens.

PRCS said the occupation forces also prevented ambulance crews from transporting the injured, the sick, the elderly with chronic diseases and women in labor to hospitals to receive the necessary treatment.

PRCS reiterated its call on the international community to take immediate action and intervene to ensure that the occupation adheres to its responsibilities under international humanitarian law, in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention, which obliges the occupying power to ensure that adequate food and medical supplies are provided in occupied territories. PRCS stressed that the protection of the humanitarian space is the prime responsibility of the occupying power as stipulated by international humanitarian law.

It said the occupation’s restric
tions and bans have made the humanitarian mission impossible, nevertheless, it affirmed its commitment to meeting its humanitarian duty and responding to the humanitarian and relief needs of citizens.

PRCS called on the international community to promptly act to stop the violations of the occupation and warned of the potentially catastrophic humanitarian consequences of widespread aggression waged against the entire occupied Palestinian Territory.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA