While speaking out without strategic consideration may satisfy public demands, it can ultimately cost lives by jeopardizing access to those in need.
This handover marks the completion of the phase one list of abductees slated for return.
Has the Red Cross abandoned its humanitarian mission? Critics say its silence on Israeli hostages and ties to Hamas raise serious questions.
We become irritated when people fail to act as we expect. It infuriates us to see a representative of the organization sitting next to a masked terrorist, signing “release documents” for civilians.
The ICRC has been widely criticized across Israel for not visiting hostages in Gaza captivity and for partaking in Hamas's propaganda ceremonies.
Despite the heartbreak from the return of the slain hostages, we should not confuse tears for weakness or bowed heads for a nation whose spirit is broken.
Ultimately, a Red Cross representative signed Hamas documents on a stage in Khan Yunis.
Intentional or not, the human rights regime has facilitated the Hamas agenda and hindered those that seek to stop them.
"We must be clear: any degrading treatment during release operations is unacceptable," the ICRC said in a statement.
The Red Cross needs to provide answers and rectify its failures. Anything less would be a betrayal of the very mission they claim to uphold.
JPOST Digital Library
