Asphalt Turned into Dust

Jerusalem -- Tuesday, April 9, a convoy of 14 international representatives and 9 national relief agencies were allowed to enter into Nablus to deliver needed medical supplies and food to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS). The supplies will be distributed to those who are in need. The Israeli IDF has occupied Nablus for one week before the convoy entrance into the city. The press was not allowed to enter into the city to film or record the event.

The asphalt has turned into dust along the main entrance road into Nablus. The city is desolate, isolated and a ghost town. Many damaged buildings line the streets and utility poles are toppled over. The only movement outside was that of the Israeli soldiers and tanks buffing up the sand into the air along with periodic cats sitting under an olive tree. Nablus was once a lively city full of shoppers, children with smiling faces and men who were focused on their work. Now, the city is eerie and full of mourning over the deaths of their loved ones who lay rotting in the streets in the Old City area. The Nablutians minds are consumed on survival for the mere needs of bread, medicine, water and cigarettes, a contrast from only over a week ago.

However, no one from the convoy could enter into the Old City area because gun battles, tank shelling and helicopters rang into the day's air. The amount of killed or injured can only be estimated because it is unknown how many bodies lay under the rumble of the destroyed buildings. The ambulances periodically attempt to enter into the Casaba area (Old City) to deliver medical aid and remove bodies from the streets. The ambulances are shot at an "average of six times" (by the IDF) when they enter into the streets, reported a PRCS medical staff representative. I could see the frustration and concern in their eyes and the desire to get out to assist combined with the risk of getting fired upon while some of the staff was showing me the bullet holes that penetrated the ambulances.

On Tuesday the 9th of April, the same day the convoy entered into Nablus, it is reported that 1000 Old City residents were forced to leave their homes and gather at the Gamal Abdel Nasser school and then the IDF moved them to the Hawara military base. LAW reports that 12 residents were killed. Only a few have been identified, Riziq Baker, 40 and in Askar refugee camp, Hafed Sabra, 60 and Amjad-Abda, 11 were hit by artillery shell. LAW also reports that the IDF entered into the mosque in the Old City and arrested many wounded then closed the field hospital located there.