Today we received news that
@PRCS
medics were killed with live ammunition while performing their life-saving work.
This is unacceptable.
We offer our sincere condolences to staff and their loved ones.
We condemn all attacks on healthcare workers and first responders.
We are relieved to confirm the safe release of 24 hostages.
We have facilitated this release by transporting them from Gaza to the Rafah border, marking the real-life impact of our role as a neutral intermediary between the parties.
We are deeply troubled that our humanitarian convoy in Gaza City came under fire today. It was carrying lifesaving medical supplies to health facilities, including Al Quds
@PalestineRCS
hospital.
Under IHL, humanitarian workers must be protected.
π
An exciting moment in Gaza!
Today, we kicked off the first indoor amputee football championship.
We believe sports can make a difference. For athletes with disability who are still recovering from trauma, sports may be one venue that brings back hope.
The ICRC is urgently calling for the respect and protection of medical facilities, patients, and healthcare workers in
#Gaza
.
This protection is not only a legal obligation but a moral imperative to preserve human life in these terrible times.
Read moreπ
We are devastated by the killing of our valued colleague Abdellatif Ali Moussa, along with several of his family, in northern
#Gaza
.
Abdellatif worked as a driver for the ICRC for some 20 years.
We extend our profound condolences to Abdellatif's family, friends & colleagues.
Our convoy carrying life-saving medical supplies for health facilities incl Al-Quds
@PalestineRCS
hospital, came under fire Tuesday.
"These are not conditions under which humanitarians can work & meet the urgent needs of the civilian population".
- William Schomburg ICRC Gazaπ
Today, in
#Gaza
@ICRC
is on the ground and ready to help. But we canβt do our job without:
π΄Guarantees of safe passage
π΄Access to our supplies and bringing additional supplies
π΄Means of telecommunication
Humanitarian work must be made possible at all times.
False information about us has been circulating online, regarding accusations of espionage activities in the middle of humanitarian operations.
We firmly deny these allegations.
π¨Today our team began carrying out a multi-day operation to facilitate the release and transfer of hostages held in Gaza and of Palestinian detainees to the West Bank.
This will include the delivery of additional, much-needed humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
We have now successfully facilitated the release of 33 Palestinian detainees from Ofer prison to Ramallah.
We have managed to do so thanks to our neutral intermediary role.
Our statement on the killing of dedicated
@PalestineRCS
staff in
#Gaza
, who lost their lives trying to rescue six-year-old Hind.
We mourn alongside our PRCS colleagues.
Hospitals care for:
Β· babies in incubators
Β· patients on life-saving equipment
Β· wounded and sick.
Moving critical patients can endanger their lives.
Medical staff & facilities must be protected.
They are there to help anyone who needs care.
They are not part of the fight.
Meanwhile operating in the European Hospital, in
#Gaza
, some healthcare workers are receiving devastating news about their relatives.
Dr. Tom Potokar, ICRC war surgeon, shares how difficult the situation is for everyone.
International humanitarian law provides protections for humanitarian workers, those wearing the Red Cross or Red Crescent emblem, and medical facilities.
These protections must be respected.
#NotATarget
A new study by the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza shows that 80% of Gazaβs population live much of their lives in the dark, with only 10-12 hours of electricity per day.
New footage for media in our newsroom:
While we are deeply alarmed by the ongoing hostilities in Gaza, the situation in the West Bank has also deteriorated.
Since January, 300 people have been killed, making this the deadliest year in the West Bank in over a decade.
π’We are deeply concerned about the potential consequences of the warnings issued to Al Quds
@PalestineRCS
hospital with patients, health care workers & many families taking shelter there.
No ifs.
No buts.
No maybes.
No excuses.
Health care is not a target.
Every ambulance attacked, clinic damaged or health worker threatened deprives families of care when they need it most.
"The scenes of death, destruction & displacement are staggering," says ICRC head of sub-delegation after visiting hospitals in
#Gaza
.
ICRC is ready to support with medical teams & aid trucks; we need access & security.
Civilians must be protected & receive humanitarian relief.
Updates from our war surgery team - European Hospital
#Gaza
.
Dr. Tom Potokar, ICRC surgeon, shares on horrific injuries facing children, lack of resources, lack of electricity, no dressings to treat burn injuries.
Teams are exhausted & the situation gets worse.
π
We are carefully following up on all the appeals that have come our way in the past two days. We acknowledge the deep frustration, and we are monitoring the situation in
#Gaza
with profound alarm and our teams are not sparing an effort on the ground.
A few clarifications 𧡠π
We have now successfully facilitated the release and transfer of 17 hostages held in Gaza.
The ICRC was not involved in the negotiations, and its role has been to facilitate the agreement as a neutral intermediary.
Multiple healthcare workers have lost their lives carrying out their professional duties since Saturday.
@Mdais
confirmed the tragic loss of a medic and we convey our deep condolences.
This is never acceptable.
Healthcare workers must not be targeted.
Since October 2023, the healthcare system in Gaza has faced recurring shocks and increased pressure due to hostilities.
In less than six months, it has been devastated, and thousands of people who need medical treatment cannot receive it.
We are devastated by the news that Ameer Sobhi Abu Aysha, a
@PalestineRCS
volunteer working in Al-Amal hospital in Khan Younis, was killed today. Our sincere condolences to his family, loved ones and colleagues.
#NotATarget
.
As it's getting colder in
#Gaza
, today we distributed blankets & tarpaulins in Khan Yunis, to nearly 5,000 displaced people.
More remain in the cold wind.
Despite limited supplies, we are doing everything we can to reach them & to extend a helping hand to those who need us most.
We have now successfully facilitated the release and transfer of 11 hostages held in Gaza.
The ICRC was not involved in the negotiations, and its role has been to facilitate the agreement as a neutral intermediary.
We have now successfully facilitated the release of 19 Palestinian detainees from Israeli places of detention.
The ICRC was not involved in the negotiations. Our role has been to carry out this operation as a neutral intermediary.
@ICRC
team together with
@PalestineRCS
at Al-Quds Hospital in
#Gaza
.
Under international humanitarian law (
#IHL
), hospitals, medical facilities & healthcare staff must be protected during armed conflict. They are
#NotATarget
Hostilities are severely affecting hospitals and ambulances, and taking a heavy toll on civilians, patients, and medical staff. The healthcare system in Gaza has reached a point of no return.
The rules of war are clear. Hospitals must be protected under
#IHL
.
π§΅The situation in the
#WestBank
is critical.
Since January, over 360 lives have been lost, and more than 2,000 people are injured. This marks the deadliest year in a decade.
The ICRC is deeply concerned about the impact on the communities.
Our teams have successfully facilitated the release and transfer of 12 hostages held in Gaza.
We have been able to carry out this operation thanks to our neutral intermediary role.
π₯International humanitarian law is clear: hospitals must be protected by all parties to the conflict.
βWhen hospitals are asked to evacuate, not everyone can leave
βIt is not possible to simply relocate the wounded, those in intensive care or mobility issues.
This is a matter of serious concern for the ICRC and we are discussing the matter with the Israeli authorities.
Hospitals must be sanctuaries where the sick and wounded can receive treatment in safety.
I join my voice to the urgent plea of our partners
@PalestineRCS
International humanitarian law is very clear: hospitals, patients and civilian population are all protected.
It applies to all parties to this conflict.
We have now successfully facilitated the release of 24 Palestinian detainees from Israeli places of detention.
The ICRC was not involved in the negotiations.
Our role has been to carry out this operation as a neutral intermediary.
Today our team delivered stretchers, hospital beds and medical materials for treatment of 150 seriously wounded patients to the health authorities in Gaza.
π’π± Internet & phone lines in
#Gaza
are down.
The loss of connectivity is severely impacting the civilian population, most of whom is displaced & reeling from 22 consecutive days of intense fighting.
And as bombardments intensify, the cut is impacting humanitarian responders.
Today, our team delivered a war-wounded kit for treatment of 50 seriously wounded patients to the health authorities in
#Gaza
.
We will keep responding to the most urgent needs on the ground.
Like many of you, this year weβve also watched
@FaudaOfficial
and noted a number of violations of
#IHL
.
Check out this Twitter thread and tell us if you see more!
Weβre glad to inform that 8 people who were being held hostage in Gaza have just been released, with facilitation from the ICRC.
Our teams have transferred them and handed them over to the Israeli authorities.
This is possible thanks to our neutral intermediary role.
We offer our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Khader Adnan at this difficult time.
We call on the Israeli authorities to release Mr. Adnan's body, so his family can mourn and arrange a dignified burial according to their customs and beliefs.
Our statement:
Yesterday, we distributed medical supplies to Al-Naser Hospital and Shuhada Al Aqsa Hospital in
#Gaza
.
We're doing all we can to support medical teams and to provide the necessary medical supplies, even in the absence of the necessary security guarantees.
Analysis of the video has been confirmed that the individual is not in a PRCS uniform, nor is it a PRCS ambulance.Β
@PalestineRCS
statement on recent allegations β¬οΈ
π¨With regard to the video circulating showing a wounded fighter receiving medical assistance, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) affirms that the medical team and the ambulance shown in the video are not of PRCS.
The PRCS teams and volunteers are committed to abiding byβ¦
For every person taken hostage on October 7th, countless family members β parents, children, siblings β like those of Alexander Lobanov, spend every hour missing them.
Hostage-taking is prohibited under international humanitarian law.
The hostages must be immediately released.
Despite logistical and security challenges, our teams are working tirelessly to deliver aid to those who have lost their homes and safety.
Yesterday, our team provided essential supplies like blankets and cleaning kits to 8,000 families in Nussairat in the middle zone in
#Gaza
.
Journalists play a critical role in informing society but continue to pay a steep price for reporting on conflicts. We're shocked by the killing of Shireen AbuAqleh during armed violence in Jenin camp today, and express our deepest condolences to her family, friends & colleagues.
π§΅Families of the hostages are enduring unimaginable suffering, as they wait for news from their loved ones.
We acknowledge their expectations and the requests for us to help, and understand the frustration when we cannot provide immediate results.
2021 was a difficult year. Particularly the escalation in May and its aftermath have once again left the region shaken and hopeless.
Even though the headlines have moved on, our work continues in 2022.
One month since the horrific attacks in Israel.
Communities are devastated, families torn apart.
We call for the immediate release of all hostages and remain committed to facilitate any further release.
We will not give up in our attempt.
We will not let families down.
Weβre glad to inform that 16 people who were being held hostage in Gaza have just been released, with facilitation from the ICRC.
Our teams have transferred them and handed them over to the Israeli authorities.
This is possible thanks to our neutral intermediary role.
π΄ On the evacuation of civilians from the North:
We are gravely concerned by the precarious and unsafe conditions under which civilians are evacuating from the north of Gaza.
Evacuations must be safe and people should not be put in more danger when theyβre trying to escape.
We don't have the logistical capacity & security guarantees to facilitate evacuations, but we're sparing no efforts to influence those responsible for the protection of the civilians who decide to evacuate and those who stay behind.
This is the parties' responsibility under IHL.
Medical needs in
#Gaza
are immense.
We are trying as best we can to deliver vital supplies for treating the injured.
Yesterday, we provided assistance to Al-Nasser Medical Complex.
We're committed to continue supporting but require safety guarantees and access for aid delivery.
In our role as neutral intermediary, weβve just facilitated the release of 11 Palestinian detainees, and their transfer to Ramallah.
As a humanitarian organization, we did not take part in the negotiations that led to this operation.
Our partner the
@PalestineRCS
has been working relentlessly to continue operating the Al Quds Hospital as it desperately runs out of necessary means, amidst increasing hostilities.
Their staff and volunteers risk their lives every day to help others. They must be protected too.
We stand ready to fulfill our role as a neutral intermediary and support evacuations of medical facilities in Gaza, but this requires an agreement by the parties.
We have coordinated and accompanied convoys to evacuate hospital patients and displaced persons from Northern Gaza.
A rare piece of good news coming from
#Gaza
. For the first time in many months people have been enjoying almost 16 hours of electricity per day the past week.
The parties to the conflict must fulfill their responsibilities to protect the wounded and sick and the medical personnel providing them with care.
This applies whether they remain in health facilities or are evacuated elsewhere.
"If we receive more patients, how are we going to take care of them? Doctors are overworked. Nurses are overworked. We are running out of stock." Dr. Srihari, ICRC
#Gaza
.
π΄On evacuation from hospitals:
Gaza today is the scene of intense fighting and evacuating a hospital there (moving hospital beds, patients, medicine, and critical life-support systems) is extremely complex and laden with risks.
Civilians living in north
#Gaza
have little access to medical services, shelter, or essential items.
The scenes our team witnessed in Gaza City only strengthens our call that more humanitarian assistance must be able to safely reach the north.
Countless lives depend on it.
Today our president had an important meeting with family members of people taken hostage.
Agreements must be reached so that their loved ones can return home quickly.
Strawberry season is in full swing.
#Gaza
delicious strawberries π used to be exported abroad. These days it is still one of the few items that can go out, but only limited quantity reach the
#WestBank
. Closure has a paralyzing effect on the economy.
Intense hostilities close to hospitals in Gaza damaged health infrastructure.
Medical staff has been injured.
Several access roads to the main hospitals have been destroyed.
This impairs the ability of ambulances to reach hospitals and transfer patients.
We are calling for:
We are very concerned by the escalation of violence in the border areas of
#Gaza
and
#Israel
. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must not be targeted. This is a basic principle of International Humanitarian Law
#IHL
.
The intensity of the conflict is something we have not seen before.
For people in Gaza, access to hospitals and other vital infrastructure has become extremely difficult.
β Our partner
@PalestineRCS
lost contact yesterday with their operations room in
#Gaza
.
β Rescue teams, ambulances & emergency medical services are impacted as they try to reach the injured.
β Our teams are trying to get supplies to hospitals & facing challenges.
We are concerned by the escalation of armed hostilities. If this cycle of violence spins out of control, it will bear heavy consequences for civilian populations.
We call on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.
Weβre supporting service providers to repair critical infrastructure in Gaza that has been damaged during the escalation.
This means ensuring access to safe water for the population and preventing the collapse of the sewage system which could lead to an outbreak of diseases.
Health care workers must be able to carry out their life-saving work!
They are not part of the fight and are protected under International Humanitarian Law.
@PalestineRCS
@Mdais
We asked Reema, our favourite kanun player in Gaza, to take the
@WHO
's
#SafeHands
handwash challenge. As always, she brought her musical talent to the activity.
Wash your hands like Rima and help fight
#COVID19
!
Watch Reema on the kanun:
#WorldWaterDay
People - exhausted from sleepless nights, from constant fear, worry, and grief - need a window during which they can go outside without fear of being killed or injured, or of witnessing death or injury to others.
Statement from
@FCarboniICRC
We are deeply disheartened to see yet another cycle of demolitions affecting people in Humsa al-Foqa. Continued house demolitions in Humsa and across the West Bank compromise human dignity and damage livelihood capacities.