PRCS and the Freed Prisoners

Ramallah

Seven groups of Palestinian prisoners, released as part of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, have arrived in Ramallah after released from Ofer Prison, located west of the city. To manage the large number of released prisoners in each group and the presence of hundreds of citizens welcoming them, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) mobilizes its teams each time they are released, following established plans and policies to ensure their safety and that of their families.

The head of the EMS center of PRCS in the Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate, Ibrahim Gholeh, says: “International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) coordinates with us through the PRCS, informing us when a group of prisoners is set to be be released from Ofer prison. Upon receiving the notification, we begin preparing EMTs suited for the mission ensuring they are ready to handle various possible situations.”

He stated that the PRCS fully manages the repercussions of this significant event by beginning preparations days in advance, equipping teams and ambulances, and deploying field volunteers to be among the crowds providing necessary humanitarian care. Assistance is either provided on-site by a volunteer or, if needed, an ambulance is dispatched to transport the case to the hospital.

Prepared Teams:

Gholeh added that teams and volunteers are prepared and dispatched to the location of the event, covering two main sites: the release point at the gate of Ofer prison and the square of the Ramallah Cultural Palace. In previous cases, coverage was also provided at the Ramallah Recreational Complex.

Regarding the preparations of teams and ambulances, Al-Goleh said: “The teams mobilized are based on the nature of the event, as we receive prior information about the number of prisoners to be released. In most cases, a single bus is present, but on some occasions, there have been two buses, and in one instance, there were three”. 

Al-Gholeh continued stating that under normal circumstances, six ambulances and twenty field volunteers are mobilized equipped with the necessary supplies for first aid, transportation, and EMT protection. However, when more than one bus is involved, additional ambulances are required, sometimes reaching up to ten ambulances.

Areas of Interventions:

Regarding the PRCS’s areas of interventions, Al-Gholeh stated: “Our primary focus is treating sick prisoners and those in need of emergency medical care. We provide them with emergency first aid and then transfer them to a medical center for the necessary treatment.

He added: “The second area of intervention is managing the crowds of citizens gathering in front of the Ofer Prison gate and along the road leading from Beitunia. Israeli forces often attack and suppress these gatherings, resulting in multiple injuries, which are treated by our teams.”

He further explained that the third area of intervention involves addressing cases of crowding and congestion during the reception of the released prisoners, which often leads to fainting, loss of consciousness, and other medical emergencies.

Inside the Prisoners' Bus:

Regarding the nature of intervention in each area, Al-Gholeh explained that for prisoners, medical teams board the bus as soon as it reaches a safe area after leaving the prison. They provide necessary first aid, assess the general health condition of the released prisoners, and offer urgent medical treatment when needed. For example, in the case of Sheikh Jamal Al-Tawil, he was immediately transferred to the hospital.

He further explained that in each instance, about 8 to 12 prisoners require medical treatment and are transferred to the Palestine Medical Complex or Istishari Arab Hospital for injuries that necessitate hospitalization.

Most prisoners suffer from weakness and exhaustion, with some appearing to be in an extremely fragile state, described as being “on their last breath”. They often lack energy and endurance due to the harsh conditions of their imprisonment, prolonged waiting periods inside the buses under poor conditions, and the physical assaults they endure. As a result, many prisoners arrive completely exhausted upon leaving the buses.

Al-Gholeh added “Despite the harsh conditions they have endured, the released prisoners rise above their suffering and return home with their families, knowing that all of them require medical care. Some are so exhausted that they cannot spend their first night with their families due to their health conditions and must be hospitalized immediately. As for the rest, they go home with their families and after a day or two they visit the hospital to receive the necessary medical care.

Initial Intervention:

Regarding their initial intervention and the care provided to released prisoners, Al-Gholeh stated: “The released prisoners are in urgent need of IV fluids, oxygen, and warmth. Their deteriorating health conditions result from poor hygiene, lack of bathing and washing, food deprivation, as well as physical abuse and mistreatment.”

He emphasized that the conditions prisoners endure in detention are far from humane. The role of PRCS is to assist them in two key areas: preventing the spread of infections and assessing their condition to ensure they receive appropriate medical care.

Regarding intervention at the moment of the release and the reception by their families, Al-Gholeh said “Several family members have fainted or collapsed during these emotional reunions. Some were treated on-site with first aid, while others had to be transported to the hospital.”

Repression by the Occupation:

Regarding intervention during the Israeli forces’ repression of families before the arrival of the buses, Al-Gholeh explained that these crackdowns result in numerous injuries, ranging from rubber bullet wounds and tear gas inhalation to, in some cases, live ammunition injuries.

He mentioned an incident where an individual was shot in the thigh with live ammunition. "If it weren’t for God's mercy and the timely arrival of our team, he would have lost his life due to severe bleeding” he said.

Al-Gholeh concluded his statement by addressing coordination with other EMTs in the field, saying “Everyone present in the field operates under the framework of the PRCS, as it is the official entity responsible for handling this event.”