During this reporting period, the Israeli Army has continued to violate International Humanitarian Law and Fundamental Human Rights, by restricting freedom of movement to Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulances and its medical teams. Delays, denial of access and arbitrary searches had a negative impact on the sick in Qalqiliya, Salfit and Bethlehem.

Bethlehem, 09/10/2004 (09:20 AM): A PRCS ambulance was stopped and delayed access by the Israeli soldiers, at Beit Jala (DCO) checkpoint, while on route to transport a sick person in critical condition, from Hussan village to a local Palestinian hospital. Although the crew tried to explain to the soldiers the patients' condition, the soldiers ignored them and refused to allow them access. Fifteen minutes later, the crew was allowed to pass, but only after the patient’s family pleaded with the soldiers. The patient was transported to hospital, where he was declared dead by hospital officials shortly after arrival.

In addition to the above, the following table lists incidents of delay and denial of access during this reporting period.

PRCS Branch	Date	Checkpoint	Delay of access (unless indicated 'denied access')
Salfit	12/10/2004	Skaka Bridge	30 minutes
Qalqiliya	15/10/2004	Hableh Gate	30 minutes & denied access

During this reporting period, a total of 30 deaths and 96 injuries were reported in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

These practices constitute a breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and the First Additional Protocol of the Geneva conventions, which are legally applied to the occupied Palestinian territories. In particular, they violate articles 20 of the Fourth Geneva Convention which guarantees the protection and respect of persons who engage in the search for, removal and transport of and caring for wounded and sick civilians, and article 63 which stresses that ” Subject to temporary and exceptional measures imposed for urgent reasons of security by the Occupied Power, recognized National red cross and red crescent societies shall be able to pursue their activities in accordance with Red Cross principles, as defined by the international Red Cross Conferences…”. In addition to articles 12 and 15 of the First Additional Protocol of the Geneva conventions which guarantees that “ Medical units shall be respected and protected at all times and shall not be the object of attack and shall have access to any place where their services are essential” and article 16 which stresses that, “Under no circumstances shall any person be punished for carrying out medical activities compatible with medical ethics, regardless of the person benefiting there from.”, in addition to article 21, which stresses that,” Medical vehicles shall be respected and protected in the same way as mobile medical units under the Conventions and this Protocol.”