Amman, Oct. 1 (Petra) — The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced Wednesday the temporary suspension of its operations in Gaza City due to intensified military operations, relocating staff to its offices in southern Gaza to ensure their safety and maintain operational continuity.
The ICRC said in a statement that tens of thousands of civilians remaining in Gaza City are enduring dire humanitarian conditions, as many face killings, forced displacement, and severe shortages of basic necessities. It detailed that first responders, including the Palestine Red Crescent Society and Civil Defence, continue their relief efforts despite severe restrictions on their ability to reach affected populations safely.
According to the statement, the ICRC will continue to provide assistance from its offices in Deir al-Balah and Rafah, including medical donations to the few functioning health facilities in Gaza City and support for the movement of first responders. It noted that the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah remains a lifeline for large numbers of wounded patients.
The Committee highlighted that its teams had stayed in Gaza City as long as possible to protect and support the most vulnerable before relocating. It underscored its commitment to returning as soon as conditions allow.
Over the past two weeks, the ICRC said it had delivered life-saving medical supplies to hospitals and health-care centers treating increasing numbers of weapon-wounded patients, supported bakeries in 14 displacement camps producing 45,000 loaves of bread daily, and assisted with water trucking, tank installation, and repairs to water and wastewater networks in cooperation with local providers.
The statement stressed that saving lives remains possible if hostilities cease immediately, reiterating that under international humanitarian law civilians must be protected whether they remain in or leave Gaza City. It underlined that Israel, as the occupying power, bears responsibility for ensuring the basic needs of civilians are met, and that medical and civil defence personnel must be respected and protected. The ICRC further called for rapid, unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance across the Gaza Strip.
//Petra// AJ
01/10/2025 14:54:14
