From: UPI
Subject: Sick deportees ordered back to camp
Reply-To: ayman@eecs.umich.edu
Organization: United Press International
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1992 17:39:56 GMT
X-Note: This article was automatically cross-posted to soc.culture.lebanon

[ Article cross-posted without permission ]
	MARJ AL ZOUHOUR, Lebanon (UPI) -- The 415 Palestinians deported by
Israel asked Lebanon Saturday to reconsider its decision to order sick
and wounded deportees to leave their hospital beds and return to their
desolate makeshift camp in Southern Lebanon.
	Lebanese troops ordered at least eight sick and wounded in the Bahmad
hospital in the village of Rashaya late Friday back to the camp where
the deportees have been stranded between unyielding Lebanese and Israeli
armies at the edge of the southern border zone.
	``We had hoped that our sick and wounded fellows would be exempted
from the Lebanese government decision,'' said Dr. Omar Tarawneh. He said
at least four deportees are too badly off to be in the camp.
	Tarawneh, one of 20 deported doctors running a makeshfit hospital in
the camp, said two men were severly wounded when the deportees
approached Israeli positions early last week.
	The Palestinian doctor said he supported Lebanon's attempt to thwart
Israel by not admitting the deportees, but was disappointed at Lebanon's
treatment of the sick and injured.
	``We were really sad when our friends were forced back into the camp
despite their injuries and sufferings,'' he said. ``We are unable to
treat such severe injuries in the camp.''
	Dr. Tarawneh said more than 200 deportees suffered from acute
diarrhea, fever and stomach infections.
	The Palestinians have been trapped between the Lebanese army at Marj
al Zouhour and Israeli troops and the allied South Lebanon Army militia
at Zimraya gate since they were deported a week ago in retaliation for
the killing of Israeli policemen by extremist Islamic groups.
	Lebanon refused to admit the deportees, believed to be Islamic
fundamentalists, and blocked all relief convoys on grounds the refugee
area is under Israeli control and aid should come from the Israeli side.
	Israel reinforced its positions inside the 9-mile security zone it
occupies in southern Lebanon and closed the Zimraya gate leading to the
Palestinians'makeshift camp, mining the area as an added deterrent.
	The situation at ``Al Quds camp,'' named after the Arabic name for
Jerusalem, was worsening Saturday drinking water and food reserves ran
low. The deportees weathered another night of snow with temperature
reaching 25 degrees.
	``This was the worst night. Our blood froze in our veins,'' said
Mohammed Shehade. Shehaded said the deportees were eating one meal per
day ``as the only food we have is some canned vegetables and potatoes.''
	Bernard Pfefferle, head of the International Committee of the Red
Cross in Lebanon, inspected the camp and checked on the sick deportees.
	Pfefferle said the Red Cross will try again to persuade the Lebanon
and Israel to allow relief supplies to the deportees.
	The Israeli government, in a sharply divided Cabinet decision, voted
Friday not to let the Red Cross send a convoy carrying food, water and
medicine across the security zone to the deportees.
	Shafik Al Hout, representative of the Palestine Liberation
Organization in Lebanon, said the PLO approved Lebanon's decision to
deny entry to the deportees and condemned Israel ``for trying to hold
Lebanon responsible for its crimes.''