Israeli forces raid Bethlehem hospital courtyard, Palestinian Health Ministry says
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Israeli forces raided the courtyard of Arab Rehabilitation Society Hospital in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank and attacked Palestinian patients and relatives, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. The ministry condemned the raid and called on the World Health Organization and the International Committee of the Red Cross to intervene urgently. The incursion took place amid an escalation in the West Bank that has killed at least 1,183 Palestinians since October 2023, according to Palestinian sources.
Key Facts
- The Palestinian Health Ministry said hospitals and health centres are protected areas under international law and condemned violations against them.
- The ministry called on the World Health Organization and the International Committee of the Red Cross to urgently intervene to stop repeated violations and ensure the safety of patients and staff.
- Since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, at least 1,183 Palestinians have been killed, around 13,000 wounded and around 25,000 detained in the West Bank, according to Palestinian sources.
- About 750,000 Israelis live in 156 settlements and 360 illegal settlement outposts in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
- The Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission recorded 3,488 attacks on Palestinians and their property in the first half of this year, according to a July 6 report.
Hospital Raid in Bethlehem
Israeli forces raided the courtyard of Arab Rehabilitation Society Hospital in Bethlehem, in the southern occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The ministry said the soldiers frightened patients and relatives and attacked some of them. The ministry condemned the incursion, saying hospitals and health centres are protected areas under international law. It said raiding or attacking health institutions and endangering patients and medical staff is a serious violation of international treaties and laws.
Calls for International Action
The ministry called on the World Health Organization and the International Committee of the Red Cross, among other international health and human rights organizations, to urgently intervene. It said repeated violations must be stopped and the safety of patients and workers ensured. It added that the situation threatens the security of health services and patients' right to treatment in a safe environment.
Wider West Bank Escalation
Since the Gaza war began in October 2023, the Israeli military and Israeli settlers have increased attacks in the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian sources. At least 1,183 Palestinians have been killed, about 13,000 wounded and about 25,000 detained in that period. About 750,000 Israelis live in 156 settlements and 360 illegal settlement outposts across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission recorded 3,488 attacks on Palestinians and their property in the first half of this year, according to its July 6 report. Palestinians warn that such attacks pave the way for annexation of the West Bank to Israel, blocking an independent Palestinian state under United Nations resolutions.
2 sources
Israeli forces raid Bethlehem hospital courtyard, Palestinian Health Ministry says
