War in Bethlehem Update 2330
1241:URGENT: MEDICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED: Internationals were unable to ride with the ambulance teams because the situation is to dangerous and the IDF ended our curfew on Israeli time which is one hour ahead. Dr. Ibrahim Kumri confirmed that the Red Cescent offices are surrounded and that one ambulance has been crushed by a tank and the others cannot move.
At least 30 Palestinians injured by IDF fire continue to take shelter in the three churches of Manger Square, including the Church of the Nativity, deprived of medical supplies and food and surrounded by the IDF. Among the injuries are four critical cases. An ambulance attempting to evacuate those critically injured was crushed en route to Manger Square by an Israeli tank in Wadi Ma'ali. Those trapped in the church are desperate for medical assistance and food but are unwilling to exit the churches for fear of immediate IDF aggression.
Yesterday two members of the Abda family were killed when their Bethlehem home near Manger Square was shelled. The victims, a mother in her 60s and her son, were taking shelter with the rest of their family from the IDF assault on Bethlehem. The survivors remain in the house with the bodies of their loved ones, unable to take steps for a proper burial due to the continuous IDF prescience in their neighborhood. International civilians in the area are considering a plan to escort the Abda family to safety with their deceased, as well as to deliver medical supplies to the injured people in the Manger Square churches.

2330 Update: Israeli Occupation Forces are staging a major confrontation at Manger Square in Bethlehem proper. They have bombed the sacred mosque that is found here (the birthplace of Jesus and a holy site for Muslims and Christians alike). At least 5 people are dead and at least 30 wounded so far. In addition, IDF is preventing any ambulances from arriving on the scene, allowing innocent people to bleed to death. 300 people, including families, fighters and journalists, are being held prisoners in the three churches of the square. IDF threatens to bomb them if they do not surrender.

2300 Update: The situation in Bethlehem continues to be intermittent clashes, tanks rolling by, APCs rolling by. IMC-Palestine is experiencing difficulty with communication because of the 24-hour curfew imposed by Israeli occupation forces. The situation continues to deteriorate by the minute, with IDF attacking Red Crescent and UN ambulances, religious buildings, television and communication stations and journalists. We will continue to update as possible. Please keep posting news coming out of Palestine so that we can document these days of Israeli terror.

Witnesses on the ground in Bethlehem:
(for international dialing drop the 0 before the phone number)
English - Heather 00 972 (0) 67 270 398
English - Georgina 00 972 (0) 55 840 767/ 00 972 (0) 674 5459
English – IMC Palestine 00 972 (0) 2 277 7558
Arabic/English - Bilal 00 972 (0) 52 814 992
Italian - Francesca 00 39 3389 77 3899
There are French speakers available as well.