The family of Ismail Ramadan was preparing for a trip to Mecca next Sunday when they received news that the 48 year old had suffered a heart attack. He was stuck at an Israeli barrier as the army was not allowing the car through.
Eyewitnesses reported that the incident took place at about 3:00 pm when Ramadan was being taken to the hospital. However the soldiers would not let them through so he tried to take another route to reach Nablus' Rafidiya Hospital.
But progress was slow and medical sources at the hospital reported that Ramadan was dead on arrival, despite efforts to resuscitate him.
Adnan Ramadan told PNN that Israeli forces at the checkpoint saw his cousin in the car and knew his condition, but they refused to allow passage. He continued to explain that they were forced to take dirt roads four times the length and severity, which exacerbated the critical nature of the situation and caused Ismail's death.
The head of the Tel Village Council, Asteh Omar, said the Israeli forces closed roads that link the city of Nablus to its environs after Israeli soldiers detonated an explosive on Tuesday afternoon. This stranded hundreds of people who were trying to return home after work. He added that most everyone took the bumpy and lengthy side roads that added a great deal of time and stress to the commute.
Citizen Abdul Aziz Al Hind said that many cases of death have been reported at this barrier, with the most cases being those of women on their way to give birth.
