The international humanitarian community calls for accountability as tensions escalate in Gaza.
Red Cross Condemns Israeli Forces for Medics’ Deaths in Gaza
Red Cross Condemns Israeli Forces for Medics’ Deaths in Gaza
Outrage follows the killing of eight Palestinian medics amid ongoing violence in the region.
The International Red Cross movement has expressed deep outrage over the tragic killings of eight Palestinian medics, six Civil Defence responders, and a UN staff member, all reportedly shot by Israeli forces in southern Gaza. The events unfolded on March 23 in the al-Hashashin area, where multiple emergency vehicles were struck one after the other, leading to the discovery of a mass grave containing the bodies of the victims.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) lamented the loss of its personnel, indicating that a ninth medic is still unaccounted for and accusing Israeli forces of deliberately targeting medical staff. In a statement, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) announced that the bodies were recovered after being denied access to the area for a week. Names of the deceased medics have been released, including Mostafa Khufaga, Saleh Muamer, and Ezzedine Shaath, among others.
IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain expressed his devastation: “These dedicated workers were providing crucial aid to the wounded. Their emblems should have safeguarded them. The principles of International Humanitarian Law clearly stipulate that civilians and humanitarian workers must be protected.”
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) echoed these sentiments, denouncing the incident. The head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Gaza, Jonathan Whittall, highlighted the horrors faced by the medics, indicating that they were assaulted while on a mission to save lives.
In a heart-wrenching account shared through social media, Whittall delineated how the ambulances and emergency vehicles were targeted consecutively, leading to the tragedy. The funeral for the medics drew emotional reactions from families, with the father of Ashraf Abu Labda condemning the cold-blooded actions of the Israeli troops and lamenting the lack of accountability.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) justified their actions by claiming the vehicles advanced suspiciously without proper signals. The IDF reported that during these operations, they targeted what they believed were Hamas operatives among the casualties. A previous statement confirmed that some of the vehicles involved were in fact ambulances and fire trucks, yet this did not quell calls for a comprehensive investigation into the killings.
As tensions continue to rise, the core issue remains whether humanitarian workers, operating in clearly indicated emergency vehicles, should be considered legitimate targets in conflict zones. The UN and humanitarian organizations are calling for an urgent and thorough investigation into the incident.
The call for accountability comes at a dire time, as violence persists in Gaza following the initial Hamas attacks in October 2023 and subsequent Israeli military operations, leading to massive civilian casualties and a humanitarian crisis in the region.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) lamented the loss of its personnel, indicating that a ninth medic is still unaccounted for and accusing Israeli forces of deliberately targeting medical staff. In a statement, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) announced that the bodies were recovered after being denied access to the area for a week. Names of the deceased medics have been released, including Mostafa Khufaga, Saleh Muamer, and Ezzedine Shaath, among others.
IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain expressed his devastation: “These dedicated workers were providing crucial aid to the wounded. Their emblems should have safeguarded them. The principles of International Humanitarian Law clearly stipulate that civilians and humanitarian workers must be protected.”
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) echoed these sentiments, denouncing the incident. The head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Gaza, Jonathan Whittall, highlighted the horrors faced by the medics, indicating that they were assaulted while on a mission to save lives.
In a heart-wrenching account shared through social media, Whittall delineated how the ambulances and emergency vehicles were targeted consecutively, leading to the tragedy. The funeral for the medics drew emotional reactions from families, with the father of Ashraf Abu Labda condemning the cold-blooded actions of the Israeli troops and lamenting the lack of accountability.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) justified their actions by claiming the vehicles advanced suspiciously without proper signals. The IDF reported that during these operations, they targeted what they believed were Hamas operatives among the casualties. A previous statement confirmed that some of the vehicles involved were in fact ambulances and fire trucks, yet this did not quell calls for a comprehensive investigation into the killings.
As tensions continue to rise, the core issue remains whether humanitarian workers, operating in clearly indicated emergency vehicles, should be considered legitimate targets in conflict zones. The UN and humanitarian organizations are calling for an urgent and thorough investigation into the incident.
The call for accountability comes at a dire time, as violence persists in Gaza following the initial Hamas attacks in October 2023 and subsequent Israeli military operations, leading to massive civilian casualties and a humanitarian crisis in the region.
