IDF Denies Sky News Claim of Ambulance Delay After West Bank Attack

Sky News reported that Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers allegedly delayed a Palestinian ambulance for over 30 minutes at a checkpoint near the village of Awarta following a shooting attack in the West Bank. The report claimed the soldiers ordered the ambulance to turn off its engine and medical equipment, which supposedly led to the death of a fetus while the pregnant woman was inside the vehicle. According to the report, the woman underwent emergency surgery upon arrival at the hospital, saving her life but not the fetus.

The IDF strongly rejected these allegations, providing a different account of the incident. They stated that after the July 24 attack and a subsequent security assessment, a temporary closure was imposed on the city of Nablus. On July 27, dozens of ambulances passed through checkpoints into the city without issues. The specific ambulance in question arrived at the checkpoint near Awarta without prior security coordination, prompting a brief security check that lasted only a few minutes before the ambulance was allowed to continue.

The IDF emphasized its ongoing efforts to facilitate medical teams' movement and noted that ambulances coordinating their passage in advance are allowed through without checks. They clarified there was no intention to delay medical treatment or evacuation. This statement came amid heightened tensions following the deadly shooting attack at the Gilad Farm, where Israeli soldier Benyahu Malt was killed. The IDF also reported arresting two terrorists involved in that attack in Nablus.

The incident highlights the complex security and humanitarian challenges in the West Bank amid ongoing violence and military operations.