Since the outbreak of the
al-Aqsa intifada more than 40 Palestinians have died due to
delayed or obstructed access to medical care at Israeli checkpoints
and at least 15 on duty medical personnel have been killed. Especially
since the Israeli Operation Defensive Shield in April 2002 the job as
a relief worker has become dangerous. The Palestinian Red Crescent
Society has had 10 ambulances destroyed and 80% of its ambulance fleet
has been damaged. During Israeli attacks on Palestinian cities,
Israeli forces have shelled and raided hospitals and clinics resulting
in destruction of medical equipment and disruption of health care for
patients.
