Shock at lack of rescue efforts in Jenin

Human rights groups protested yesterday at the lack of rescue efforts in the Jenin refugee camp amid claims that a family buried for several days in the rubble had pleaded for help by phone.
"It is shocking that the [Israeli] authorities have not asked for help and that the international community is not offering it," Amnesty International said. "Help is needed now to save what life there is left."

Speaking from inside the ruined camp, Amnesty representative Javier Zuniga said: "This is one of the worst scenes of devastation I have ever witnessed. There is a real possibility that people are still alive under the rubble of their former homes."

Amnesty said that although it was contacted by a local human rights group which had received a call from a family of 10 trapped underground and asking for help, there was still no concerted effort to search for and rescue survivors.

Israeli tanks again fired machine guns into Jenin late yesterday and loudspeakers announced a new curfew, witnesses said. Earlier in the day, about 50 tanks were seen leaving the city, but it was unclear whether they were pulling out entirely or just regrouping. The Israeli army had no immediate comment.

The area, where Israeli bulldozers demolished many homes during the bloody battle, remained a closed military zone according to the army, although some organisations were let in.