Israeli NGO Shurat Hadin, known for its many legal battles against terrorist organizations, has filed suit against the International Red Cross in Jerusalem District Court, alleging the humanitarian organization has been grossly negligent in its duties to try and aid the hostages held by Hamas and try and secure their release.
In the court filing, Shurat Hadin is asking that the court do two things: force the Red Cross to pay 10 million NIS to the plaintiffs, in addition to associated court costs, as well as issue an injunction ordering the Red Cross to visit the hostages, update the families on their condition, and provide the hostages with the medicine they need to remain alive and healthy.
In the suit's executive summary of the facts, Shurat Hadin alleges that the Red Cross entirely ignored requests to deliver medicines to hostages and made no direct, public requests of Hamas to free the hostages, only general statements addressed to no-one - all while maintaining active, intensive contact with Hamas in its efforts to aid the Palestinian population in Gaza.
Furthermore, the suit claims that the Red Cross did not even meet with the hostages' families for weeks to obtain information on their loved ones or make any active attempt to remind Palestinian forces of their obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention, including the requirement to allow Red Cross visits to those who are taken captive.
The suit argues that the Jerusalem District Court has jurisdiction over the Red Cross in this case, a point which many legal experts argue will be the main bone of contention once the lawsuit proceeds.
