Israeli Attacks on West Bank Medics Prompt Bulletproof Vest Distribution
Attacks on Palestinian medics by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank have surged, with incidents more than quadrupling in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period last year, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. Israeli soldiers have physically assaulted medics, targeted their ambulances with live ammunition and tear gas, and blocked their access to the injured. The Red Crescent has filed complaints, but they often disappear without any response. The spike in incidents reflects a shift in Israeli tactics, with reports of IDF vehicles blocking or pushing ambulances. The International Committee of the Red Cross has expressed concern about the increase in violence against medical workers and the potential life or death consequences for those in need of medical treatment.