Nablus: In a deeply distressing incident reported on Sunday, two Palestinian women were forced to give birth inside their vehicles after Israeli occupation forces closed checkpoints surrounding the northern West Bank city of Nablus, preventing them from reaching hospitals in time.
According to Physicians for Human Rights, tightened movement restrictions, road closures and the shutting of checkpoints prevented the women from accessing urgent medical care. With hospitals out of reach, the two women were forced to deliver their babies under extremely difficult conditions outside healthcare facilities.
The organization warned of the serious humanitarian consequences of preventing patients and pregnant women from reaching medical services. It stressed that freedom of movement and access to healthcare are fundamental rights that must be protected.
Physicians for Human Rights called for an end to measures that prevent Palestinians from reaching hospitals and medical centres. It also held the Israeli occupation authorities responsible for the risks faced by civilians as a result of continued checkpoint closures and restrictions on movement.
The report further stated that, since Sunday morning, Israeli occupation forces have continued to obstruct the movement of ambulance crews by tightening procedures at military checkpoints surrounding Nablus Governorate. The restrictions have slowed ambulance movement and delayed their arrival at patients and the wounded.
The incident has once again highlighted the serious humanitarian consequences of movement restrictions when even pregnant women in urgent need of medical care are unable to reach hospitals in time.