Israel Matzav

Where's the Red Cross? Where's Egypt?

Here's more news you won't read in the international mainstream media.

Five seriously wounded 'Palestinians' have been transferred to Israeli hospitals by MDA ambulances that drove into the Gaza Strip to pick them up. The five 'Palestinians' include two who were wounded when Hamas terrorists shot at 'Palestinians' at the Erez crossing who were trying to cross into Israel.

The Red Cross coordinated with the IDF that the casualties would be picked up by MDA ambulances and transferred to Israeli hospitals.

However, on the way to the crossing, Hamas stopped the ambulances and held them up for several hours. Only after international intervention were the ambulances allowed to pass.

In addition to those hurt in the recent Palestinian factional fighting, the IDF decided to evacuate those seriously wounded in Monday's flare-up at Erez.

Initially, 12 Palestinians were taken at crossing and underwent examinations by Israeli medical team. In the end only two were found to be in critical condition, warranting immediate transfer to Israeli hospitals.

You won't find this story in any of the major US media right now. And I haven't heard a word from the Red Cross about it. Imagine that the situation were reversed and that Israel was refusing to cooperate in evacuating people who were wounded.

Here's the caption from the al-AP photo above:

Palestinians wounded in an exchange of fire lay on the ground awaiting medical help as they wait to flee to the Israeli side at the Erez Crossing, in the northern Gaza Strip,Tuesday, June 19, 2007. Israeli soldiers and Palestinian gunmen exchanged fire Monday at the Erez crossing between Israel and Gaza, killing one Palestinian and wounding at least 10, the Israeli rescue service and Palestinian hospital officials said. The Israeli military said Palestinians threw a grenade and fired at civilians at the crossing, and soldiers shot at the gunmen. The military said there were no Israeli casualties. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

But the story that goes with that caption - written by a 'Palestinian' stringer - tries to blame it on Israel:

Fearing death or persecution, Gazans flocked to the Erez passage after Hamas militants wrested control of the coastal strip from Fatah security forces last week. Israel, which has no interest in letting masses of Gazans pass through its territory and possibly destabilize the quieter West Bank, has refused to let most of them in, saying their lives were not in danger.

By Tuesday, about 600 people were holed up in the long, concrete tunnel that leads to the Israeli side of the crossing. Around 100 people belonged to Fatah security forces, but the rest were civilians, seeking a better life in the West Bank.

Women, children and young men sat between two high concrete walls about 10 yards apart, looking tired and sweaty. Suitcases and trash were strewn on the ground. Some families sat on mats, others on bare concrete. A breeze barely stirred between the walls, and the tunnel, which has no toilets, reeked of urine and sweat.

On Monday, gunmen allied with Hamas disguised themselves as fleeing civilians and hurled hand grenades at Israeli soldiers and Palestinians at Erez, killing a relative of a slain Fatah warlord, and injuring 15 other Palestinians.

In a move to maintain order, Israeli tanks and armored vehicles rolled up to the Palestinian side of Erez on Tuesday, chasing away cars parked next to the tunnel, including vehicles belonging to journalists. One tank parked at the crossing entrance, blocking anyone from entering or leaving the tunnel. Army bulldozers closed the road leading to the terminal with sand, witnesses said.

Israel is now negotiating with Egypt to try to get 'our friends the Egyptians' - the third largest recipients to take in some of those 'Palestinians.' How much do you want to bet that the Egyptians say no?

Update 11:53 AM (Boston time)

Arutz Sheva is reporting that 11 'Palestinians' are being treated in Israel.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:09 PM