Israeli Hostages and Relatives Sue Red Cross Over Alleged Neglect

The lawsuit, seeking $2.8 million in damages, accuses the Red Cross of failing to fulfill its obligations to assist victims of armed conflict and protect their lives and dignity.

• Dozens of people kidnapped from Israel by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, or related to hostages, have sued the International Committee of the Red Cross in an Israeli court, arguing the organization has not fulfilled its obligation to assist victims of armed conflict and violence and to protect their lives and dignity.
• The lawsuit comes as the Red Cross has come under mounting political pressure from Israelis and their leaders — including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — to do more to persuade Hamas to let its aid workers and paramedics visit the remaining hostages.
• The civil complaint was filed on behalf of former hostages and relatives by the Shurat HaDin-Israeli Law Center, an Israeli human rights group, and seeks about $2.8 million in damages, as well as a court order directing the Red Cross to visit all remaining hostages, provide them with medications and relay information about them to their families.
• A German-Israeli hostage who was released after nearly two months in captivity has sued the international Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for alleged medical neglect.
• The ICRC has responded that Hamas has not allowed the visits and that it can only visit the hostages if the groups holding them agree to give it access. The ICRC has no means of forcing access to hostages and prisoners.

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