Red Cross teams have begun operating in detention facilities ahead of resumed visits to Nukhba terrorists, conducting a tour and assessment meeting at a military detention facility in Israel. The move, following a Supreme Court ruling that overturned the defense minister’s security order, is sparking intense anger and outrage among bereaved families: “They stabbed us in the back—and are hugging the murderers.”
A team from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) held a technical meeting, assessment, and tour today (Wednesday) at a military detention facility in Israel—an initial step toward restoring the visit framework for Nukhba terrorists. Red Cross visits were withheld from Israeli hostages in Gaza.
1+During the tour conducted by Red Cross teams, they did not yet meet with the terrorists. According to the organization, the assessment included discussions with detention facility authorities as well as a tour of parts of the facility. Julien Lerisson, head of the ICRC delegation in Israel, described the move “as a step in the right direction toward resuming visits,” adding that “the organization will continue to discuss the format and conditions with all relevant authorities to enable their full resumption.”
This initial step comes following the Supreme Court decision that overturned the defense minister’s order, which had banned Red Cross visits to Nukhba terrorists on security grounds—after the Shin Bet revealed that organization personnel were passing information to the terrorists. The decision to restore access to the organization is sparking intense anger among bereaved families, who see this step as a severe blow and an affront to the memory of their loved ones.
1+Yossi Cohen, father of Amit, who was murdered at the Nova festival, sharply attacked the judges’ decision and stated: “They stabbed us in the back and every day they twist it right and left. These are not Israel’s judges; these are judges who represent and embrace the most vile murderers.” Cohen added furiously: “We lost everything; we were broken and collapsed, and they’re calling on the Nukhba terrorists to come and file petitions. The people will vomit these judges out.”