While responding to an emergency call the night of Jan 25th, north of Ramallah (Surda area), two PRCS ambulance medics were stopped, forced out of the car, stripped, searched and forced to lay on the street.  Their radios and ID cards were confiscated.  Weather conditions for the 25th were rainy, windy with temperatures around 1 degree Celsius.  As tens of Israeli soldiers watched, five soldiers began to beat, curse and humiliate the two medics, at times forcing their heads into the muddy pools of water, at other times forcing them at gun point to roll down the hill as they lay on the ground, and pointing rifles to their heads and saying “you will now die”.  This cruelty lasted for almost 2 hours.  

Having lost contact with the ambulance, the EMS station dispatched a second vehicle.  This second vehicle was also intercepted at the same location.  The medics were forced out, stripped, and forced to lay on the ground, face down.  The four medics held now were again beaten, cursed and humiliated by the same five soldiers, as other soldiers watched and cheered.

One of the medics suffering from hypothermia and shock by now began to experience chest pains.  After repeated pleas with the soldiers, a second medic was allowed to tend to him.  Unable to stabilize him, they again pleaded to permit transport to hospital.  One vehicle was allowed to leave, the other was held for an additional hour.

PRCS senior paramedic Mr. Talal Eideh, 40 yrs of age, is at the Ramallah hospital ICU in stable condition recovering from severe hypothermia.  The ID card of Medic Talal Eideh was kept, and he was given a note to report on Jan 29th to Captain Lo’ay of the Israeli Security Services (Shin Bet).  During this entire affair, PRCS directors failed in  many attempts to stop the incident via extensive communications with Israeli army command and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

These inhumane actions by the Israeli army come in sharp contrast to PRCS stated policy and actions in recent months that has seen these same medics treat injured Israeli soldiers and civilians.  We urge the international community to take note of such incidents and call for an international investigation.  Despite these actions, PRCS will continue to provide emergency medical care to all in need, both Israeli and Palestinian.