PALESTINIAN MEDICS WORKING ‘AROUND THE CLOCK’ DUE TO STROM

Bethlehem, 20 Rabiul Awwal 1436/11 January 2015 (MINA)–  The Palestinian Medical Relief Society on Friday opened several emergency rooms across Palestine to deal with the consequences of winter storm Huda, an official said.

Mustafa Barghouthi, a Palestinian politician and the head of PMRS, said crews and volunteers have been working around the clock in most of the affected areas in the West Bank and Gaza.

PMRS staff are working in Gaza City, Nablus, Jerusalem, Hebron, Bethlehem, and Salfit. In Tulkarem, Jenin, and the Jordan Valley, the organization is working in coordination with Palestinian Authority civil defense crews, Ma’an News Agency (MINA) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported four incidents of people having trouble breathing due to the firm closure of their homes in cold conditions.

It said 13 people from Hebron were taken to the hospital.

Hebron Police Director Muhammad Tayim urged families to keep their houses ventilated.

The winter storm is expected to last until Sunday, bringing snow in higher areas around Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Hebron in the occupied West Bank as well as in northern Israel, while flooding is expected along the coastal plain, including in the Gaza Strip.

The storm has had a heavy impact on Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel’s assault left some 110,000 people homeless last summer. (T/P010/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)