Diaries: Live from Palestine

At night, recalled back to the office

Arjan El Fassed Ram, Palestine 30 March 2002

I had to return back to the office. In particular to check on unconfirmed and confusing reports from Ramallah about the situation of around thirty Palestinian policemen. I had just returned back to our appartment in Dahiya al-Barid after visiting Sheikh Jarrah with Annet. We visited the hotel where a part of the group of international solidarity activists have been, had dinner, and bought an international phonecard. 

'Back at the office'

Arjan El Fassed Ram, Palestine 30 March 2002

The last thing I did before leaving the office yesterday was writing a press release about the five Palestinians found dead in Taiboun building by Dubai bureau chief Maher Shalabi. His story was confirmed by Michael Holmes of CNN. 

Appalling accounts

Palestine Monitor Ramallah, Palestine 29 March 2002

This has been the second day of the appalling war against the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank and the first day of attacks, siege and curfews also in areas located in the Be [sic]. Throughout the whole day, thousands of new soldiers were deployed inside Ramallah and, as we write, even more are heading towards the already besieged and occupied city. 

'The Israelis took over my house'

Maha Sbitani Ramallah, Palestine 29 March 2002

Today at 5:00am I was awakened by what sounded like huge trunks, when I looked out the window I saw several tanks. 1/2 hr later the Israeli soldiers rang the bell - we did not answer - then I heard them coming up the steps (obviously broke in the main door). The pounded the door to the house, My husband opened the door, to find endless huge guns pointed at us. 

'Surrender'

Hanan Elmasu Geneva, Switzerland 29 March 2002

Further reports from Ramallah state that, in addition to those being rounded up in Al Bireh, Israeli soldiers have been calling for males, in some areas between the age of 14 - 40, to ‘surrender’ themselves in other areas of Ramallah. House to house raids continue, and those detained are also being held in classrooms in nearby schools and, in one instance, a bakery in lower Ramallah. None of those detained from yesterday or today have been released, so it is unclear what their current situation is. The number of detainees is yet not known. 

Ra'ya hospital in danger

Arjan El Fassed Ram, Palestine 29 March 2002

At 1.30 Israeli forces surrounded and entered al-Ra’ya Hospital. Six Israeli soldiers with dogs entered the hospital and demolished the entrance to the health insurance room and tried to enter a room with injured persons to arrest them. Doctors and staff prevented them, because the staff feared infections from the dogs. After 15 minutes the Israeli soldiers left the hospital. There are now six tanks opposite the hospital. 

Assaults on medical personnel and mistreatment of the injured

Arjan El Fassed Ram, Palestine 29 March 2002

This morning we received several reports of Israeli assaults on medical personnel and the wounded. At 11 o’clock this morning, Israeli forces stopped two ambulances near the Arab Bank in the old city of Ramallah. One ambulance belongs to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and the other belongs to the Ministry of Health. The crew, including paramedics, has been arrested. At this moment, Israeli forces in Ramallah are using the ambulance to move around in the city. Additionally, a few minutes later, another ambulance, belonging to the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees has been confiscated near the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority. The driver and the injured have been arrested. 

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