The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Association (IFRC) expressed strong concern over the deaths of eight medical professionals in Rafa, southern Gaza, who were killed while serving their community. The bodies of the team members from the Palestinian Red Crescent Association (PRCS) were recovered after being inaccessible for a week. One medic is still missing. The IFRC identified the deceased as ambulance managers and volunteers who were providing humanitarian aid. Executive Director Jagan Chapagan emphasized that these workers were protected under international laws, and the incident highlights the need for adherence to humanitarian rules in conflict zones.
The circumstances surrounding their deaths involve Israeli forces firing on vehicles deemed suspicious, which included ambulances. While the Israeli military stated that their fire was directed at Hamas vehicles, a Hamas official condemned the attack as a violation of international humanitarian law, labeling it a war crime. The situation has escalated in Gaza, with recent Israeli military operations leading to significant casualties, including over 900 people reported killed by the Hamas-run Health Ministry in response to the ongoing conflict. The violence has intensified since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered a substantial military response.
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