RAFAH (PIC)– IOF troops operating inside the Gaza Strip on Saturday kidnapped Dr. Sami Abu Sneima a vascular surgeon despite being urgently needed in the Gaza European Hospital.
A PA health ministry statement said that Dr. Sami told the soldiers that he was a doctor and that the hospital was in dire need of his services but they ignored his plea for his patients and insisted on arresting him.
The ministry appealed to all international institutions especially the Red Cross WHO medicins san frontiers and human rights organizations to pressure the IOA into releasing Dr. Sami particularly when the ministry was in utmost need for his services.
The ministry said that IOF assaults on medical teams and institutions along with ambulance vehicles blocking the entry of medicines and arresting patients from hospitals were all aimed at destroying the Palestinian health sector.
Such practices are blatant violations of the international humanitarian laws and are categorized as grave violations according to the fourth Geneva Convention stipulating protection of civilians at times of war.
Tens of Palestinian paramedics doctors and other medical staffers were killed or wounded while performing their humanitarian duty as a result of direct shooting on the part of IOF soldiers while dozens of ambulance cars were destroyed and numerous hospitals and clinics were stormed.
