The ICRC was already present in Jenin on the first day of the Israeli incursion on 03.04.02. Throughout the whole period thereafter, three to eleven expatriate delegates were involved in lifesaving activities. The priority was to ensure access to medical care, water and food to people in need.

Permanent contacts were maintained with the Israeli authorities in order to guarantee free movement of ambulances and medical personnel.

From 09.04.02, an ICRC surgeon was present in the Jenin hospital for operations, consultations, general advice and needs assessment.

Between 09. and 15.04.02, the ICRC made continuous requests to the Israeli authorities to be allowed to enter the Jenin refugee camp. Permission was refused for six days, and granted for the first time on 15.04.02. However from 11.04.02, there was a 24-hour presence of ICRC staff in the hospital at the edge of the camp.

Here is a chronological account of ICRC activities in Jenin:

19.-21.04.02
- No more regular ICRC presence is needed in the camp. However, still a lot of co-ordination has to be made by ICRC delegates, as numerous NGO's and
journalists are now on the spot.
- On 20 April, 1 truckload of medicine (2 mt) is sent to Jenin for Al-Razi and Patient Friends hospitals. 2,5 mt of baby milk powder are delivered to Al-Razi hospital. Small quantities of food are distributed to the "Charitable Society of Jenin". 12,000 litres of water are delivered to Jenin government hospital.

18.04.02
- ICRC teams are in the camp in an extremely confusing situation. Because of the lifting of the curfew, people are trying to find bodies or to collect private possessions. According to the ICRC teams, it is dangerous for people to walk around in the camp because of the risk of unstable buildings, and from unexploded ordonance, explosives and booby traps.
- A decision is taken concerning the sharing of responsibilities: the UN takes the lead for all activities in the camp. The ICRC will only play a facilitating role and takes the lead for all tracing issues.

17.04.02
- The ICRC asks the Israeli authorities in writing to allow and facilitate, without delay, foreign specialist teams to come in to clear the rubble, remove bodies, and clear explosives in the refugee camp, and to ensure that the camp's population receives medical care and humanitarian aid.
- 2 ICRC teams, together with 2 PRCS ambulances, work in the camp without being accompanied by the IDF. Water remains the most problematic issue.
- 600 cases of water, and water bladders, are sent to Jenin. The bladders are handed over to UNRWA, who will install them. The PRCS is able to distribute water to the camp during the day.

16.04.02
- 3 ICRC teams and 2 PRCS ambulances go back into the camp to set up a first-aid post where civilians can get treatment, or ask for evacuation.
- The ICRC closely co-ordinates its activities with UNRWA which delivers 2 truckloads of food. The ICRC can only distribute small quantities of water to the most needy families at the periphery of the camp.
- The ICRC staff starts collecting tracing requests from camp inhabitants.
- An ICRC surgeon continues working at the Jenin government hospital.
- Today's assessment concerning the evacuation of the dead shows that the situation is beyond the normal means of ICRC or PRCS medical workers, and requires specialist teams and know-how. This issue is discussed with the Israeli authorities and they are reminded of their responsibilities concerning rescue operations for as long as they are in control of the camp. The possible presence of explosives in the rubble forces the ICRC teams to move very cautiously.

15.04.02
- For the first time, ICRC delegates are allowed into the camp. 3 ICRC teams and 3 PRCS ambulances move into the camp in the morning but withdraw in the early afternoon to reassess their mission due to lack of equipment and expertise in removing rubble. Part of the camp looks as if it has been hit by an earthquake, with houses partially or completely destroyed, and streets filled with rubble. 1 ICRC team returns to the camp in the afternoon to evacuate a severely wounded person.
- Throughout the day, the teams evacuate 12 persons. 7 bodies are removed from the camp. Civilians in the camp are under shock and report urgent need for medicine, water and food. People are also anxious for news about their family members.
- ICRC teams bring food and water into the camp.
- Milk is distributed to houses around the hospital, and water bottles to families around the camp.
- To help re-establish family links, the ICRC office in Jenin starts a tracing service.
- An ICRC surgeon works at the government hospital alongside local surgeons.

14.04.02
- ICRC teams are still waiting for the green light from the Israeli authorities to enter Jenin camp.
- Following today's Israeli court ruling concerning the retrieval and burial of bodies in the camp, the ICRC stands ready to assist, so long as the burials are conducted with dignity, and within the norms of International Humanitarian Law.
- The ICRC delivers donated food to the eastern part of Jenin town, still under curfew.

12./13.04.02
- Conditions in the government hospital slightly improve. A second, more powerful generator is brought in by the ICRC as well as supplies of water and bread for patients and staff.
- ICRC delegates take a woman in labour to the hospital who had walked out of the camp seeking help.
- The ICRC escorts a water truck into Jenin, and a water tanker is brought into the city from a nearby village.

11.04.02
- For the third consecutive day, ICRC delegates and PRCS ambulances are on standby at the entrance of Jenin camp, ready to evacuate the wounded and dead as soon as permission is given to go in. The curfew is lifted for a few hours in parts of the city but not in the area where the camp and the government hospital are located.
- The situation in the hospital is critical. ICRC delegates manage to bring in blood, food and medical supplies.

10.04.02
- For the second consecutive day, the ICRC delegates are denied access to the refugee camp where shooting and shelling are heard all day long. As hundreds of women, children and elderly people are leaving the camp, the ICRC and PRCS teams help them move to a safer area.
- An ICRC truck transports a privately-donated generator, together with food and water, to the government hospital.
- ICRC delegates transport blood supplies between 2 hospitals in town.
- The PRCS headquarters are surrounded by tanks preventing any movement. 6 PRCS medical staff are arrested. A written representation by the ICRC is immediately sent to Israeli authorities asking for news of the medical staff's whereabouts, and reminding them of the necessity for an urgent medical action in Jenin.
- The ICRC sends a written representation to the highest IDF authorities reminding them of their obligation to respect civilians and civilian objects.

09.04.02
- The ICRC is approached by Israeli Civil Administration to give medical assistance to the people inside the refugee camp, in particular to escort ambulances to carry out medical evacuations (injured and dead bodies). A team of 11 delegates leave Jerusalem around 5.00 a.m. 10 ambulances (of which 5 from the PRCS) are organised to enter into the refugee camp. However, once on the edge of the camp they are not allowed to enter, and remain on standby throughout the day.

08.04.02
- After hours of negotiations with Israeli Civil Administration, the ICRC manages to get 3 PRCS ambulances into Jenin refugee camp. The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) allows each ambulance to evacuate only 1 patient, while ICRC staff are not given access into the camp. Ambulances are thoroughly checked on the way in and out. 8 hours later, only 1 patient reaches the hospital while the other 2 are still being checked, and the ambulance drivers forced to lie on the ground.

07.04.02
- The curfew is lifted for 4 hours in Jenin city but not in the camp where heavy fighting continues. Water and electricity systems are out of order. The hospital needs oxygen urgently.
- An ICRC team tries to reach Jenin hospital with 2 landcruisers carrying medicines, food and 4 patients needing dialysis treatment. The vehicles are blocked by a tank within sight of the hospital and not allowed to move closer. Patients and supplies are finally transferred to one of the hospital's ambulances.
- The ICRC manages to co-ordinate only 3 movements of Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulances.
- 3 transit warehouses are set up inside the city and near Jalame checkpoint in order to gather incoming medical supplies, food, blankets and water.

06.04.02
- ICRC teams manage to take urgently needed blood supplies to Jenin hospital as well as some drugs, stretchers, food and body bags. 3 dialysis patients are transferred to Jerusalem by the ICRC for urgent treatment.
- The ICRC orthopaedic surgeon assists the Jenin hospital's surgeon, by telephone from Jerusalem, through each step of a delicate operation the latter is conducting.
- Despite day-long co-ordination, it is impossible for the ICRC and municipal engineers to go to the sites around Jenin town where water pumps and electricity lines have been badly damaged.

05.04.02
- ICRC teams deliver 10 oxygen cylinders to Jenin hospital.

04.04.02
- ICRC tries to deliver oxygen cylinders to Jenin hospital but is prevented by the ongoing military operation.

03.04.02
- 3 ICRC delegates arrive in Jenin.