2024-03-09 07:45:00
This brutal war has fractured all sense of shared humanity. In the face of such profound suffering, we make these three urgent appeals:
- That hostilities cease to allow meaningful assistance to reach affected people.
- That the hostages held by Hamas be released unconditionally and that their dignity, safety and medical needs be prioritized. The ICRC reiterates its request to be allowed to visit the hostages.
- That the detained Palestinians receive humane treatment and be allowed to communicate with their families. The ICRC must be notified and the organization allowed visits to Palestinians detained by Israeli authorities.
Sending regular and abundant humanitarian aid to address needs is only part of the solution. Relieving the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza begins with clear intent and measures that protect human life and dignity, meaning that both sides must conduct their military operations in a way that does not affect civilians caught in the middle. .
The only way to achieve this is for the parties to strictly comply with the provisions of international humanitarian law, that is, to preserve the life, dignity and humanity of all people affected by the armed conflict, regardless of which side they are on. It is the line between humanity and barbarism. The principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution must be applied in practice to achieve their main purpose: that the protection of the life and health of civilians is the rule, not the exception.
As the occupying power, Israel must ensure that the basic needs of the population are met or facilitate the rapid and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.
International humanitarian law provides a way out of the spiral of deterioration that we currently observe. All States – and indeed all humanity – have a role in this situation.
Respect for international humanitarian law not only protects humanity from the enemy, but preserves our own humanity, present and future. In this armed conflict, as in all others, the international community must make respect for IHL and its application a political priority.
The ICRC is prepared to act as a neutral intermediary – a trusted and experienced third party – to facilitate the humanitarian aspects of any political agreement reached by the parties, provided that the necessary access and security guarantees are provided.
If there is a cessation of hostilities that allows significant assistance to reach those in need, the ICRC can significantly increase the supply of food, shelter and healthcare.
The ICRC’s long history of work in Gaza in the health, electricity and water sectors would allow us to provide rapid support to these vital services.
About the ICRC
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a neutral, impartial and independent organization with an exclusively humanitarian mandate established in the Geneva Conventions of 1949. It helps people affected by armed conflicts and other situations of violence around the world, doing everything possible to protect their lives and dignity, and to alleviate their suffering, often together with their Red Cross and Red Crescent partners.
Media contact: press@icrc.org
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