Gaza: ICRC condemns killing of Red Crescent volunteer
25-07-2014 News Release 14/132
Geneva / Tel Aviv (ICRC) – An emergency medical worker was killed and three others wounded, one critically, when two ambulances from the Palestine Red Crescent Society came under attack today in Beit Hanoun, Gaza.
The Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance destroyed in Gaza.
© Palestinian Red Crescent
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the attacks against medical personnel and ambulances which have occurred in Gaza over the past two weeks,” said Jacques de Maio, head of ICRC delegation for Israel and the occupied territories.
The ambulances were clearly marked with the red crescent emblem. “Targeting ambulances, hospitals and medical workers is a serious violation of the law of war,” Mr De Maio said. “Palestinian Red Crescent volunteers are out there saving lives. This violence must stop.”
The ICRC reminds all parties of their obligation to respect and to protect medical personnel and facilities and ambulances, as stipulated by international humanitarian law. The parties to the conflict must ensure that medical personnel are not endangered or harmed and that hospitals and ambulances not attacked, damaged or misused.
For further information, please contact:
Ran Goldstein, ICRC Tel Aviv, tel: +972 52 27 57 517
Nadia Dibsy, ICRC Jerusalem, tel: +972 52 601 91 48
Sitara Jabeen, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 22 730 24 78 or +41 79 536 92 31
Maria Cecilia Goin, ICRC Gaza, tel: +972526019150 or +972 598935468