We've been locked down in Tulkarem today. Flying checkpoints were erected all around the city to make sure no one could leave. And that means no one.
Some people got stuck between permanent checkpoints and flying checkpoints unable to go anywhere. The heavy rain made sure everyone got soaked. All ambulances had to be coordinated beforehand by the ICRC or they wouldn't be able to pass the checkpoints. This is not always as straightforward as it sounds, especially when there's a critical situation.
Today, the lockdown resulted in the death of a woman. The soldiers at one checkpoint wouldn't let her and her husband pass, while the soldiers at another checkpoint wouldn't let the ambulance pass. I think the soldier who wouldn't let her through summed up the situation pretty well with his comment to the husband: 'To die, to die - it is none of my business'.
Some people got stuck between permanent checkpoints and flying checkpoints unable to go anywhere. The heavy rain made sure everyone got soaked. All ambulances had to be coordinated beforehand by the ICRC or they wouldn't be able to pass the checkpoints. This is not always as straightforward as it sounds, especially when there's a critical situation.
Today, the lockdown resulted in the death of a woman. The soldiers at one checkpoint wouldn't let her and her husband pass, while the soldiers at another checkpoint wouldn't let the ambulance pass. I think the soldier who wouldn't let her through summed up the situation pretty well with his comment to the husband: 'To die, to die - it is none of my business'.
Flying checkpoint south of Tulkarem
Flying checkpoint north of Tulkarem
Flying checkpoint east of Tulkarem
Oh by the way, if you're wondering why there are no checkpoints to the west of the city - there is the Wall.
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