Palestinian mother loses fetus after Israeli occupation forces delay ambulance at Awarta checkpoint

NABLUS, July 27 (YPA) – A family from the town of Qaryut, south of Nablus, lost their unborn child after Israeli forces obstructed an ambulance and prevented it from crossing the Awarta military checkpoint, south of the city.

Qaryut ambulance officer Bashar Al-Qaryouti said that the occupation forces hindered the work of medical teams, refusing to allow the ambulance to pass through the checkpoint after closing its gates. They detained the crew and subjected a pregnant woman in her sixth month, who was suffering from severe bleeding, to a search despite her critical condition.

He added that Israeli soldiers forced the crew to switch off the ambulance’s engine, causing the onboard medical support equipment to stop functioning. After detaining the ambulance for more than 30 minutes, the forces finally allowed it to pass.

Al-Qaryuti said that the woman arrived at the hospital, but she had lost her unborn child. The medical team was able to save her life.

The incident comes about a week after 30-year-old Sajoud Fuqaha from the town of Sinjil, north of Ramallah, died of a heart attack after Israeli forces delayed an ambulance from entering the town by closing an iron gate at its entrance.

@E.Y.M