International Committee of the Red Cross Press Release
"While the ICRC stands ready to step up its activities to help the Palestinian population," Mr Krähenbühl said, "neither the ICRC nor any other humanitarian organization can replace the authorities in their role as provider of public services." Under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), it is the responsibility of the State of Israel to ensure that the basic needs of the civilian population in the occupied territories are met...."
The Red Cross cannot replace "the authorities" in providing public services; what authorities would that be? The first authority that springs to my mind is the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority (touted far and wide as a "government"), though the ICRC doesn't hold them responsible for anything.
Why would Israel be responsible for the Palestinians, instead of their own elected "government"? And why on earth should Israel do the job of Hamas, the elected "hostile entity" which continually threatens Israel with annhiliation?
Food for thought on a Monday morning.
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