wfn.org | Israeli Tanks Halt Ambulance in Bethlehem

[JerusalemRelOrgs@aol.com]

Contact: 
Fr. Raed Awad Abusahlia
P.O.Box 14152  Jerusalem  91141
Tel.  (972 2) 628.2323 / 627.2280
Fax  (972 2) 627.1652
Personal E-mail: nonviolence@writeme.com
Latin Patriarchate E-mail: Latinpat@actcom.co.il
Latin Patriarchate's Homepage: http://www.Lpj.org
"Nonviolence Homepage": http://go.to/nonviolence

JERUSALEM, April 3, 2002---Following is a first-hand report received here 
today from a Christian layperson in Bethlehem:

150 Take Refuge in Church of Nativity

"The Israeli occupation forces are still in Bethlehem until the moment of 
writing this report. 

"The number of the Martyrs is still unknown. The Israeli soldiers are not 
allowing media people, medics or food supplies to reach the town.  

"More than 150 are taking refuge in the Church of the Nativity. 

"Food and medical supplies are cut for about 36 hours.  The only ambulance 
that tried to reach them was crushed by Israeli tanks and the crew were 
lightly injured. 

"In the church, so far there are 38 injured 4 of them are critical and one 
has been bleeding for a long time.

"The Family of Sami Abdeh are suffering a serious problem. The Israeli 
soldiers shelled their house killing the mother (around 60 yers old) and her 
son (around 38 years old).  The house is full of children and they are in a 
hysterical situation.  I have seen their pictures now on TV.  The scene is 
horrible. 

"This famliy had to stay with their dead dear since yesterday morning. I will 
try to provide you with photos, one TV station managed to get inside their 
house."

(Dispatch ends abruptly)

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