GENEVA: The war in the besieged Gaza Strip has “ruptured any sense of a shared humanity,” the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Saturday. ICRC head Mirjana Spoljaric called for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza, saying Israel must respect international law and protect Palestinian civilians amidst their military operations.
Spoljaric emphasized the critical need for humanitarian aid to flow steadily into Gaza, where over 90 percent of the Palestinian population teeters on the brink of famine, according to the United Nations. She stressed that the alleviation of the humanitarian catastrophe requires a concerted effort to safeguard civilian lives and uphold human dignity.
“The only way to achieve this is that the parties strictly adhere to international humanitarian law,” Spoljaric stated, emphasizing the importance of preserving civilian life and health as the norm, not the exception.
Nearly 40,000 Palestinians Killed in Israeli Bombardment on Gaza
The conflict, which has endured for five months, has resulted in devastating casualties and widespread suffering, particularly among Palestinian civilians. The ICRC highlighted the urgency of a ceasefire to facilitate the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza’s struggling population.
Since October 7, Israel has launched a relentless ground and air offensive that the health ministry in Gaza said has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinian people, mostly women and children. The UN says 2.2 million of Gaza’s 2.4 million people are on the verge of famine and desperately short of drinking water.
“As an occupying power, Israel must provide for the basic needs of the population or facilitate the safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian relief,” the ICRC head said.
Additionally, the ICRC called upon the Palestinian resistance group Hamas to release hostages, ensure their safety and medical care, and permit ICRC access for monitoring. Likewise, they urged Israel to provide for the basic needs of the population under its occupation and allow ICRC visits to Palestinians detained by Israeli forces.
Spoljaric implored world leaders to prioritize respect for international law, emphasizing the imperative of humanitarian action in the face of profound suffering.
