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Gordon salutes Red Cross members killed in Israel

October 13, 2023 People's Tonight 266 views

FIVE members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement were killed in the line of duty in the ongoing fierce conflict in Israel, Philippine Red Cross chairman and CEO Richard Gordon announced.

The fatalities were an ambulance driver from Magen David Adom in Israel and four paramedics from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.

In a statement, Gordon said the Philippine Red Cross extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of our fellow humanitarian workers from the RCRC Movement.

“We express our sympathy to our colleagues at Magen David Adom and Palestinian Red Crescent Society.

The principles of international humanitarian law (IHL) mandate the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure during armed conflicts.

Under IHL, pillage, reprisals, indiscriminate destruction of property and the taking of hostages are prohibited.

Health care must not be disrupted and put in danger even during times of emergencies, and all providers of healthcare, such as the Magen David Adom in Israel and Palestinian Red Crescent Society emergency medical responders, must be protected.

We therefore salute our folks – our brothers and sisters at the frontlines–who are responding to the wounded, ensuring they get medical and psychosocial relief during these times.

We call on all nations to respect the IHL to the utmost,” Gordon said in the statement.

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