Medical Team and Foreign Delegation Attacked in Nablus

(Palestine Monitor): Today a UPMRC medical team (2 female and 4 male nurses) accompanied by 24 internationals volunteers (British, French, Americans and Danish nationals) attempted to distribute food and medicine in the Balata Refugee Camp in the outskirts of the re-occupied city of Nablus.

Despite the enforcement of a curfew they succeeded in passing through the first Israeli military roadblock where the supplies were checked and cleared by Israeli Forces, and, after delivering the supplies to Balata refugee camp they decided to head towards Al-Askar Refugee Camp to deliver remaining supplies.

Israeli soldiers then stopped them declaring that only the internationals could proceed but that the Palestinians would be detained.

The internationals refused to comply with these conditions, and in the face of their refusal the soldiers proceeded to fire live ammunition over the heads of the group. Stun grenades were also fired.

After a long stand off the group was subjected to verbal and physical assault. For about 2 to 3 hours the group was detained during which time they were beaten and kicked – the men were according to a participant "more viciously attacked, but both men and women were beaten and kicked". The male Palestinian medical staffs were lined up against a wall, blindfolded, handcuffed and forced to bow down.