The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has issued a stark warning about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the health care system is on the verge of collapse amid ongoing Israeli military operations and a strict blockade.
In a statement on Sunday, the ICRC said its field hospital in Rafah had activated emergency procedures 12 times over the past two weeks to handle mass casualties. Most of the patients suffered gunshot or shrapnel wounds.
“An overwhelming majority of those injured said they were trying to reach aid distribution sites when they were hurt,” the organization reported.
The ICRC stressed the urgent need to protect and support the few remaining medical facilities in Gaza. Without immediate action, it warned, many more preventable deaths could occur.
This warning came shortly after Gaza’s Government Media Office reported that the death toll related to U.S.-Israeli aid distribution efforts had reached 125 since May 27. At least 736 people have been injured and 9 are still missing. On Sunday alone, 13 people were killed and 153 injured in two separate incidents near aid points.
On May 27, Israel launched a controversial initiative to deliver aid through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, bypassing United Nations oversight. Many Palestinians have condemned the move, calling it a tactic aimed at forcing civilians to relocate from northern to southern Gaza.
The Red Cross also raised alarm over growing violence near Gaza’s few remaining operational hospitals. Increased fighting in these areas has made it harder to transfer patients between facilities. Many are now unable to access specialized or urgent medical care.
The ICRC called on all parties to protect health workers and infrastructure. “Without urgent steps to support medical teams and ensure their safety, more lives will be lost,” the organization said.
Medical staff in Gaza are working under constant threat, the ICRC added. Stray bullets have endangered both doctors and patients, putting even field hospitals at risk of shutting down.
Since October 2023, Israel has continued its offensive in Gaza, ignoring global calls for a ceasefire. The death toll has climbed to nearly 54,900, with most victims reported to be women and children. Aid groups have repeatedly warned that over 2 million people in the enclave face an increasing risk of famine.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also on trial at the International Court of Justice over allegations of genocide against civilians in the region.
Related Topics
