Israel resumes bombardment of Gaza after cease-fire with Hamas ends

Family members of the American citizens still being held hostage in Gaza are urging the Red Cross to act on its imperative to deliver life-saving care immediately.

“We are outraged knowing our loved ones, including those with grave injuries, have not yet received the critically needed medical care and humanitarian aid from the Red Cross to which they are entitled under the pause agreement with Hamas,” the families said in a statement released Friday.

The families urged the Red Cross to honor its international mandate to visit civilian detainees in times of war to monitor their treatment and conditions.  

“The United States funds 25% of the Red Cross’s budget. Yet not a single American hostage has been visited to date. After 55 days of agony, we still don’t know anything about the condition of our loved ones, but we do know many of them were taken with life-threatening injuries, and they need medical attention now,” the statement continued.

“We call on the Red Cross to demand immediate, unfettered access to the nearly 150 hostages still in captivity. We urge the U.S. government and international community to use their influence and financial leverage to push the Red Cross to fulfill its role and responsibility to the hostages. And we implore donors, financial institutions, and other supporters of the Red Cross to make their voices heard on the matter and demand action to provide oversight and life-saving care to hostages immediately,” they added.

And, the families said: “We cannot wait a moment longer. While the Red Cross dithers, our family members are dying. They have lived in captivity for more than 8 weeks with grave injuries inflicted by Hamas – broken bones, limbs blown off, gunshot wounds, and more. They are malnourished and reports show they are being subjected to physical and mental torture. The Red Cross is neglecting sick, critically wounded, and disabled people at a time of greatest need. We need action now to save their lives.” 

The families are also urging major donors of the Red Cross including financial institutions like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and PayPal, to leverage their influence to call for immediate action.