Today (Tueaday), as the world marks World Humanitarian Day, Prof. Hagai Levine, Head of the Health Team at the Hostages Families Forum, sent the following message to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“For 683 days, 50 hostages have been held captive in Gaza, in violation of fundamental human rights. They are subjected to mental, physical, and sexual torture, intentional starvation, poor hygienic conditions, and are kept underground with poor lighting and ventilation. They are isolated from their families and the outside world, without medical treatment or Red Cross visits. They are literally in hell. Anyone who cares about humanitarian principles must speak up for their release, which would lead to ending this bloody, deadly war. We cherish the contribution of our fellow humanitarian workers who risk their lives saving lives, and we call upon them to stay loyal to their moral principles: leave no one behind!”
“Last week, during my meetings with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) president and the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, we agreed that all the hostages are humanitarian cases and should be brought back home now: the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial. This nightmare must end.”