Ahead of her visit to Israel, families of hostages and released hostages issued an urgent appeal to the President of the Red Cross: "The hostages are suffering from illness, injury, and criminal neglect. Every day that passes could be their last. Meet immediately with those who endured the inferno in Hamas captivity. Act for the Red Cross's immediate access to the hostages in Gaza."
Immediate release, medical assistance, and proof of life - these are the demands raised by hostage families’ appeal to the Red Cross. 102 hostage families and eight released hostages issued an urgent appeal today (Monday 4/12) to the Red Cross organization to provide medical assistance to hostages still in captivity in Gaza, receive proof of life, and secure their immediate release. They also requested an immediate meeting with the organization's president Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, currently visiting Gaza.
"Over the past 59 days, the hostages have endured severe conditions in Hamas captivity, including lack of adequate medical treatment for illness and injury with criminal neglect, severe food shortages, and poor living conditions harming their health," wrote the released hostages and hostage families in a letter to the Red Cross. "Some are undergoing psychological and physical abuse, exploiting their isolation from the outside world. Every day that passes could be their last and the suffering they endure is inhuman.”
The eight released hostages and 102 family members called on the organization to immediately help provide medical care for hostages suffering from life-threatening conditions in Hamas captivity. "Many of the hostages urgently require medical treatment. We implore the Red Cross make every effort for hostages to gain immediate access to essential medical care, including administering lifesaving medication. Some of the returned female hostages arrived on the brink of death due to neglected medical care and/or complications and disability from untreated injury and illness," they recounted.
"From the testimonies of released hostages, it is evident time is critical and urgent action is needed. It is appropriate to learn from past lessons. This is a historic opportunity to act rather than be silent," summarized the released hostages and families in their letter to the Red Cross.