KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) commemorated the sacrifices of eight Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) members killed in Rafah on March 23 while performing humanitarian duties, by holding a solidarity and remembrance ceremony at its headquarters yesterday.
MRCS secretary-general Datuk Danial Iskandar Abdul Rahman siad that the ceremony was led by MRCS National Chairman Tunku Temenggong Kedah, Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah.
“The PRCS team was on duty in a marked ambulance and wore internationally recognised emblems signifying neutrality and protection under International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Their loss underscores the vital importance of upholding and respecting these legal protections in all conflict situations,” he said in a statement.
He emphasised that the solidarity event also highlighted the increasing dangers faced by humanitarian workers globally.
“Last year, 32 workers from the Red Cross and Red Crescent were killed while on duty. This includes members from the Palestinian Red Crescent as well as from organisations in Sudan, Iran, Algeria, Syria, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” he said.
He also expressed concern over the record-breaking figures for 2024, stating that over 350 humanitarian workers, including 95 per cent local staff, were killed worldwide in 2024, making it the deadliest year for humanitarian workers in history. A total of 377 deaths were reported across 20 countries.
“This year, 2025, has seen the continuation of conflicts leading to the deaths of eight PRCS members, one Sudan Red Crescent member, and another from the Red Cross of the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he added.
Additionally, on Monday, AFP reported accusations by Gaza’s civil defence agency that Israeli forces conducted “extrajudicial executions” in the killing of 15 rescue workers last month. The agency rejected the findings of Israel’s internal military investigation.
Among those killed were eight Red Crescent personnel responding to an emergency call near Rafah in the early hours of March 23, during an Israeli offensive in territory controlled by Hamas.– BERNAMA