FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Today, July 26th at 8:30pm at Azzun checkpoint near Qalqilya, Palestinian Grandfather Mahmood Ahmed Sumha, 68 years old from the village of Jayyous died from complications resulting from heart disease. He was on his way to hospital when the ambulance he was in was stopped by the Israeli army at one of their checkpoints. Contrary to international law, soldiers at the checkpoint refused to let the ambulance pass.
According to official Israeli army policy, “the checkpoint commander will allow a person to cross the checkpoint (including entry into Israel) to obtain medical treatment, even if the individual does not have the requisite approval, if an urgent medical emergency is involved.” See B’Tselem website, “Infringement of the Right to Medical Treatment” (1) Mahmood’s ID number was 929535110.
Mahmood was placed on a stretcher and those with him attempted to cross the checkpoint on foot. Once again, they were blocked from doing so by soldiers.
Mahmood died shortly afterwards.
For more information, contact:
Mustafa Samha (the victim’s nephew) 0545 688 392
Mansour Mansour 0545 804 830
Notes
(1) http://www.btselem.org/english/Medical_Treatment