Palestine Red Crescent Spokesman Photographed with Apparent Terrorists
Newly discovered images raise concern about the Palestinian medical organization's ties to violent groups
A new Jewish Onliner investigation has found evidence linking Raed Al-Nams, a spokesman for the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in Gaza, to Palestinian terror organizations, including Al-Nams appearing alongside armed members of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and glorifying their actions.
His actions and affiliations raises serious concerns about the conduct of the PRCS and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which works closely with the PRCS in Gaza on all matters relating to medical care, humanitarian aid, and relief. This concern is amplified as the ICRC plays a key role in facilitating the ongoing hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas, a process requiring complete neutrality.
A Spokesman for Humanitarianism—or Violence?
Al-Nams’ Facebook features photos of himself standing alongside armed terrorists such as Abdul Raouf Qadan, a member of the U.S.-designated terrorist group, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. Al Nams has posted other images glorifying violence, including children holding AK-47s. One of his prior cover photos celebrates Zakaria Zubeidi, a former commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, who was convicted of murdering six Israelis, and is slated to be released as part of the current ceasefire arrangement between Israel and the Hamas terror group.
Mocking Tragedy, Praising Terrorism
After the Iranian regime shot down a Ukrainian airliner in 2020, killing 176 innocent people, al-Nams published a Facebook post mocking the tragedy and sarcastically writing "Iran accidentally bombed a Ukrainian plane, killing 81 ‘poor’ passengers, in revenge for the blood of Qassem Soleimani."
Soleimani was the former head of Iran’s covert operations branch, the Quds Force, and was a key figure in developing Iran’s proxy network, the “Axis of Resistance.”
Al-Nams appears to be a strong supporter of Fatah, a secular nationalist Palestinian party currently led by Mahmoud Abbas. The military wing of Fatah, the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade is designated by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization, and continues to claim responsibility for deadly attacks on Israeli civilians. Al-Nams’s Facebook page features multiple photos of him attending Fatah events, including one where he and other PRCS personnel are seen wearing PRCS vests.
PRCS and ICRC: A Relationship Under Scrutiny
The PRCS, which operates under the ostensible banner of neutrality, works in close collaboration the ICRC. This partnership includes logistical assistance, medical equipment, and training.
On January 15th, the ICRC stated that its President Mirjana Spoljaric met with the leadership of the PCRS. The involvement of a figure like Al-Nams within the PRCS calls into question the organization's capacity to maintain a clear distinction between humanitarian efforts and terrorist affiliations.
More alarmingly, it calls into question the ICRC’s oversight and due diligence in its partnerships—particularly as it works to facilitate the release of Israeli hostages.