Global Outcry Following Assault on Medical Personnel in Gaza

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has expressed its outrage over the killing of eight medics in Gaza, calling for the protection of humanitarian workers amidst ongoing violence and conflict.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has voiced its deep outrage following the tragic loss of eight medics killed while providing care in Rafah, southern Gaza. According to reports, the nine-member ambulance crew was struck by heavy fire on March 23, with their bodies recovered nearly a week later after access to the area was denied. One medic remains unaccounted for.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) confirmed that the remains of their staff were found alongside six members of Gaza’s civil defense and one United Nations employee. Although specifics regarding the shooter remain unclear, Hamas has attributed blame to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Attempts by BBC to elicit a response from the IDF remain unanswered.

In a statement, the IFRC mourned the deaths, stating they were retrieved after a troubling week of silence. The organization named the deceased as ambulance workers Mostafa Khufaga, Saleh Muamer, and Ezzedine Shaath, alongside first responders Mohammad Bahloul, Mohammed al-Heila, Ashraf Abu Labda, Raed al-Sharif, and Rifatt Radwan. The organization continues to seek information regarding the missing ambulance officer, Assad Al-Nassasra.

IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain expressed his heartbreak over the incident, emphasizing that these individuals were engaged in humanitarian work and wore uniforms meant to provide them protection during conflicts. He asserted the imperative of adhering to International Humanitarian Law, which mandates the safeguarding of civilians and humanitarian workers in war zones.

The IDF has not formally addressed the IFRC's recent statements but has acknowledged that it fired on ambulances in southern Gaza after identifying them as potential threats. Israeli military reports detail their actions as responses to perceived Hamas vehicles aimed at targeting their troops, leading to the unfortunate circumstance that some of the fired vehicles were indeed ambulances.

A senior Hamas official, Basem Naim, condemned the assault on medics, labeling it a serious infringement of the Geneva Conventions and a potential war crime. The backdrop of this violence includes Israel's intensified military operations in Gaza resumed on March 18, which have reportedly resulted in over 900 fatalities since the ceasefire initiated in January fell apart.

This ongoing conflict was reignited on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas attack resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties in southern Israel. In retaliation, Israel has conducted a significant military offensive in Gaza, leading to the deaths of more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to statements from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. The humanitarian implications continue to deepen as resources dwindle, prompting further calls for international intervention and aid.