Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Red Cross Slams IDF After Grisly Gaza Find

Corpses, starving children in zone where army banned rescuers

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 8, 2009 4:45 AM CST

(Newser) – The Red Cross has condemned the Israeli military in unusually harsh terms after finding 15 corpses in shattered houses the organization was prevented from visiting, the Washington Post reports. Officials said they received reports of casualties in the Gaza neighborhood Saturday but weren’t allowed to enter until yesterday. Four children were found lying next to their dead mothers, the group said, emaciated but alive.

Red Cross officials said Israeli soldiers tried to chase rescue workers away from the site but the workers stood their ground. A statement from the relief organization called the incident "unacceptable" and accused Israel of failing to meet its humanitarian obligations under international law. The IDF refused to comment on the specific allegations but said it would investigate once a formal complaint was made.

Palestinian doctors treat a man wounded in Israeli army operations at Shifa hospital in Gaza City, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009.
Palestinian doctors treat a man wounded in Israeli army operations at Shifa hospital in Gaza City, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Ashraf Amra)
A Palestinian man carries his son, wounded in Israeli army operations, into Shifa hospital in Gaza City, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009.
A Palestinian man carries his son, wounded in Israeli army operations, into Shifa hospital in Gaza City, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Ashraf Amra)
A Palestinian carries a wounded girl, who according to Palestinian medical sources was injured in Israeli forces' operations in Gaza, to Shifa hospital in Gaza City, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009.
A Palestinian carries a wounded girl, who according to Palestinian medical sources was injured in Israeli forces' operations in Gaza, to Shifa hospital in Gaza City, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/Ashraf Amra)
A young Palestinian girl injured in an Israeli army operation is treated at Kamal Adwan Hospital, in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009.
A young Palestinian girl injured in an Israeli army operation is treated at Kamal Adwan Hospital, in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Fadi Adwan)
A Palestinian boy walks on the rubble of a building used by Hamas security forces, destroyed by Israeli forces' operations in Gaza City, Tuesday, Jan. 6. 2009.
A Palestinian boy walks on the rubble of a building used by Hamas security forces, destroyed by Israeli forces' operations in Gaza City, Tuesday, Jan. 6. 2009.   (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

This is a shocking incident. The Israeli military must have been aware of the situation but did not assist the wounded. Neither did they make it possible for us or the Palestine Red Crescent to assist the wounded. - Red Cross official Pierre Wettach

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Zebraone
Jan 8, 2009 8:40 PM CST
Screw the red X and all the worry bead crybabies!~~~~ I will never believe anything the red X says! Money grubbing bunch of over paid bast**ds!
RichardF
Jan 8, 2009 5:48 AM CST
What many people in the USA don't understand is that the IDF and some Israelis don't consider Palestinians to be human. They consider Arabs to be animals; sub-human and not worthy of life. Much like some white Americans viewed blacks prior to Civil Rights and some white South Africans viewed blacks during apartheid.
TerrifiedCitizen
Jan 8, 2009 5:40 AM CST
How many atrocious war crimes must Israel commit before world leaders get some balls and make a stand? Two wrongs don't make a right.
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   World History Project   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne