Summary of Events from Palestine 30 March 2002

Urgent Alert: March 30 - 2330 Ramallah
As you are seeing in the news the Israeli military is promising to storm the Presidential compound. Irish national Caoimhe Butterly is still inside the compound! We are incredibly concerned for her safety and we are asking you to call your respective governments to request the Israeli military cease the destruction and carnage in Ramallah.

Palestine Update - 30 March
Ramallah: Over 100 foreign civilians accompanied a medical team to Arafat's besieged compound. Their dangerous walk was through an area under complete siege and, despite being refused access initially, the group's persistence eventually got a team of 2 doctors, 2 medics and 4 foreign civilians inside. The injured have now received treatment but remain inside the complex.

Concerning the two foreign civilians who have been in the Presidential compound for over 24 hours, Adam Shapiro has since left following an exchange with 1 doctor and 1 medic. Caoimhe Butterly has remained in an effort to facilitate further access for medical staff and supplies.

Whilst inside the Presidential compound the foreign civilian delegation met with President Arafat. Both the President and the other Palestinians are in good spirits and expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the international solidarity. President Arafat stated that "Occupation is the real terrorism, and the Palestinian people will continue to struggle for their freedom. Our people will be free." The foreign delegation supported the President's statement.

The overall situation in Ramallah remains extremely tense and very dangerous. Five Palestinians were reported executed by Israeli forces earlier this afternoon and fierce exchanges of fire have continued. Power and water supplies have been cut or damaged in many areas.

Bethlehem: Tanks and APC's (armord personnel carriers) are deployed inside Beit Jala with some areas having had their power cut off. Reports are coming in that the Israeli army has increased troop presence at the base near Beit Sahour and people are fearing an invasion. There has been sporadic gunfire during the last 3 hours.

Palestinians and over 50 internationals marched to Beit Jala this morning, protesting the occupation. The Israeli troops responded with gunfire over the group's heads and lobbed one percussion grenade at the crowd. The group remained to protest for approximately 20 minutes before retreating in respect of locals wishes.

Approximately one hundred internationals are staying with families in the refugee camps of Deheisheh, Aida and Azza (Beit Jibrin) in an effort to protect these civilians in the event of an invasion. The internationals are from various countries including the United Kingdom, USA, Sweden, Ireland, Australia, France, Germany and Italy. In addition, there are also internationals accompanying Palestinian Red Crescent ambulances throughout the region. Again, this action has been taken in preparation for the expected Israeli military invasion of the Bethlehem district.

For more information contact-
Witnesses on the ground in Ramallah:
Mustafa Barghouti - 00 972 (0) 50 254 218
Arabic / English - Huwaida 00 972 (0) 52 642 709
French - Claude 00 972 (0) 55 559 145
There are German and Italian speakers available as well

Witnesses on the ground in Bethlehem:
(for international dialing drop the 0 before the phone number)
English - Heather 00 972 (0) 67 270 398
English - Georgina 00 972 (0) 55 840 767
Arabic/English - Bilal 00 972 (0) 52 814 992
Italian - Francesca 00 39 3389 77 3899
There are French and Swedish speakers available as well.