For the second consecutive day, Israeli authorities have refused to allow an ICRC emergency medical team
into Gaza. The ICRC had notified the authorities of the team’s arrival in advance, but they have been awaiting authorization to enter the Strip since Friday morning, even though the Erez
crossing between Gaza and Israel has been open for other humanitarian workers and foreigners to leave the Strip.
The team, which consists of four specialists led by an experienced ICRC
war surgeon, is to help the staff of Shifa hospital with complex operations on people injured by the bombing.
"It is absolutely essential that this team get into Gaza now, as this is when
they are most needed," said Pierre Wettach, the ICRC head of delegation in Israel and the occupied territories.
A week after the outbreak of hostilities, air strikes in Gaza continue to
cause civilian casualties.
Kamal Edwan Hospital and other hospitals in Gaza report the arrival of many new victims, including children.
The Palestine Red Crescent society (PRCS)
reports that between mid-day Friday and mid-day Saturday, their ambulances transported the bodies of nine children who had been killed.
Uncertainty and fear as to what will happen next are
mounting, particularly since the Israeli military dropped leaflets by air on the northern part of Gaza, warning citizens to leave the area for their own safety.
People are worried that
attacks on homes will intensify.
"This is creating anxiety and confusion," said Antoine Grand, head of the ICRC office in Gaza.
“People are asking where they are supposed
to go – and for how long.
They call the ICRC for advice, but we have no answers." In southern Israel, the sirens indicating the launch of a rocket continue to go off at regular
intervals, sending people running to air-raid shelters.
Over the week to Saturday 3 January, the Magen David Adom reported four deaths and 55 persons injured.
ICRC actionHospitals
The main generator at Shifa Hospital has been repaired with spare parts provided by the ICRC and is now running smoothly.
This is an important improvement as it ensures
a steady supply of electricity to the hospital, including all life-saving equipment.
Tal Al Sultan Maternity Hospital near Rafah has received four pallets of medical equipment and
spare parts.
One pallet of basic medical equipment, plus blankets to keep patients warm, has been handed over to Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City.
One generator is
to be delivered today to Beit Hanun Hospital, north of Gaza City.
If the security situation permits, the ICRC health team will attempt to carry out more assessments in hospitals over the next 24
hours.
However, moving around Gaza remains dangerous as long as the bombing continues.
Essential services The ICRC is working with the Israeli authorities to coordinate the
movements of Palestinian Water Authority technicians carrying out repairs on water installations damaged by air strikes so that they can move around safely.
Similarly, the ICRC is
coordinating the movements of Palestinian Telecom technicians with the Israeli authorities so that generators for vital communications with the Gaza Strip can be refuelled.
Action by
the Palestine Red Crescent Society and Magen David Adom
The Palestine Red Crescent Society continues to work around the clock.
From Friday to Saturday mid-day, its ambulances
transported 78 casualties to hospitals and collected fifteen bodies.
In addition to helping Israeli civilians affected by rockets fired from Gaza, the Magen David Adom (MDA) also continues
to assist wounded children from Gaza who are evacuated through the Erez crossing point.
One severely wounded 16-year-old Palestinian boy was transported by an MDA ambulance from Erez to
Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv.
For further information, please contact:
Dorothea Krimitsas, ICRC Geneva, tel +41 22 730 25 90 or +41 79 251 93 18
Anne-Sophie
Bonefeld, ICRC Jerusalem, tel +972 2 582 88 45 or +972 52 601 91 50
Iyad Nasr, ICRC Gaza, tel +972 59 960 30 15 (Arabic)
Yael Segev-Eytan, ICRC Tel Aviv, tel +972 3 524 52 86 or +972 52 275 75
17 (Hebrew)
Nadia Dibsy, ICRC Jerusalem, tel +972 5917900 or +972 52 601 91 48 (Arabic)
Algerian students burn an Israeli flag during a protest against Israel's attacks on Gaza, at Algiers University January 3, 2009. REUTERS/Louafi Larbi (ALGERIA) ...
