A pregnant Palestinian woman in her sixth month of pregnancy lost her unborn child after Israeli forces obstructed an ambulance carrying her through the Awarta military checkpoint. Medical equipment failed as soldiers forced the ambulance engine off, and the crew was detained.
The obstruction of medical services and the resulting loss of life and unborn children highlight the severe humanitarian consequences of movement restrictions imposed on Palestinians, raising concerns about violations of international humanitarian law and the right to healthcare.
A pregnant Palestinian woman in her sixth month of pregnancy lost her unborn child after Israeli forces obstructed an ambulance carrying her through the Awarta military checkpoint south of Nablus. Qaryut ambulance officer Bashar al-Qaryuti reported that Israeli forces hindered medical teams and refused passage, detaining the crew and forcing them to switch off the ambulance's engine, which caused onboard medical equipment to cease functioning.
The pregnant woman, suffering from severe bleeding and in critical condition, was subjected to a search by soldiers. After being detained for over 30 minutes, the ambulance was eventually allowed to proceed. Upon arrival at the hospital, the woman had lost her unborn child, though medical teams were able to save her life.
This incident is part of a pattern of movement restrictions impacting Palestinians. Physicians for Human Rights noted that road closures and military checkpoints significantly delayed women's access to medical facilities, forcing two other women to give birth in vehicles around Nablus. The organization warned that such obstructions pose a direct threat to lives and safety, holding Israeli authorities responsible.
In a separate, but related incident, an 8-month pregnant Palestinian woman, Sundus Jamal Shalabi, was killed by Israeli forces who claimed she "looked suspiciously at the ground." Her husband was critically injured, and soldiers reportedly blocked a Red Crescent ambulance from reaching her for 30 minutes. She and her unborn child were pronounced dead at the hospital.