No hierarchy in pain and suffering – what our Movement is doing in Israel and Gaza
22 August 2024
As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, we stand in solidarity with the humanitarian efforts of our Movement colleagues as they respond to the escalation of violence and displacement in Israel, Gaza, and other areas of the occupied Palestinian territories.
This includes the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the IFRC, Magen David Adom in Israel, and Palestine Red Crescent Society.
"The level of human suffering is intolerable. It is unacceptable that civilians have no safe place to go in Gaza, and with a military siege in place there is also no adequate humanitarian response currently possible,” said ICRC President, Mirjana Spoljaric.
“An unimpeded and regular flow of aid must be allowed to enter Gaza. All those deprived of liberty must be treated humanely. The hostages must be released, and the ICRC must be allowed to safely visit them. As a neutral actor, the ICRC stands ready to support further humanitarian agreements that reduce suffering and heartbreak."
ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric, visiting Gaza to advance humanitarian assistance for civilians. ICRC, November 2023.
Our Movement takes no side other than the side of humanity. Since the beginning of the armed conflict, our Movement has called on all parties to:
- Protect civilians, healthcare workers and facilities.
- Ensure safe and unhindered access throughout the entire Gaza Strip.
- Open all available corridors for a continuous and expanded flow of humanitarian aid.
- Immediately and unconditionally release all the hostages.
There’s no justification for indiscriminate violence or attacks against civilians. Along with ICRC, we call on the sides to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law. Every step needs to be taken to prevent civilians and civilian infrastructure — such as electricity and water supplies — from coming to further harm.
Al Moghazi bakery, located in the middle of Gaza. ICRC, October 2023
Civilians must not be attacked. They must not be taken hostage. They have a right to receive humanitarian assistance and medical care. Nearly 1.9 million people, including many who have been displaced multiple, have had to flee with no options for safety.
Hospitals should be sanctuaries to preserve human life, not scenes of death and destruction. No patient should be killed in a hospital bed. No doctors should lose their lives trying to save others. Hospitals must be protected by international humanitarian law.
Medical professionals and humanitarian workers must be able to respond without fear for their own lives. There's no justification for indiscriminate violence or attacks against civilians and aid workers. Health workers, aid workers, and others providing critical humanitarian assistance should never be targeted. We've lost colleagues from Palestine Red Crescent and Magen David Adom, and these deaths are devastating to our Movement.
The only solution is for hostilities in Gaza to stop. Humanitarian assistance alone isn’t and can’t be the answer. A durable and just peace, that addresses the root causes of the crisis, is needed more than ever. It’s up to diplomats, politicians, and governments to decide on how. But only stopping hostilities can avoid further death and suffering – and allow the much-needed scaling up of humanitarian aid.
Our Movement’s role
During an armed conflict, our Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems are protective devices – people, vehicles, equipment, or buildings showing them must not be attacked.
ICRC is a guardian of international humanitarian law and a neutral intermediary between parties of conflict. Their teams in Israel and Gaza and are doing everything they can to help people. This includes:
- Facilitating the release of hostages, and regularly asking those holding people captive that hostages be able to contact their loved ones.
- Providing medical assistance and psychological support to impacted people.
- Distributing essential items, like blankets, tarpaulins, hygiene parcels, and cash grants.
- Supporting shelters with power generation, water provision, and desalination.
- Continuously calling on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, allow safe passage for civilians, and end the conflict.
ICRC helps people around the world affected by armed conflict and other violence, doing everything they can to relieve suffering — as well as protecting lives and dignity — alongside Red Cross and Red Crescent partners.
ICRC have had a permanent mission in Jerusalem serving Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, including Gaza, since 1967.
ICRC’s work in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories
If you’re worried about loved ones
If you’ve lost contact with family in Israel, Gaza, or other areas of the occupied Palestinian territories, you can make an enquiry through our Restoring Family Links service.
Our team will contact you once you’ve made your initial enquiry. We work with the International Committee of the Red Cross to find loved ones who are missing due to the escalation in armed violence.
Call: 0800 RED CROSS
Email: familylinks@redcross.org.nz
Support people in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories
If you want to support people affected by the conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is seeking donations for its humanitarian activities.
For more information
- Find out more about the Fundamental Principles that guide our work.
Our Fundamental Principles - Find out more about international humanitarian law and how these rules apply to armed conflicts.
International humanitarian law - Find out more about the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
Our Movement - Find out more about the Red Cross emblems and what they mean.
Our emblems
Header image caption: Al Moghazi bakery, located in the middle of Gaza. ICRC, October 2023.