One year of increased violence and suffering in the Middle East
7 October 2024
Ordinary people are bearing the brunt of the ongoing devastating conflict in the occupied Palestinian territories, Israel, and neighbouring countries.
The horrific events of 7 October 2023 in southern Israel began a new tragic chapter in the hostilities in the region – leaving deep scars on countless communities. The suffering is relentless and increasing. From the immense loss of life and countless injuries, hostages being deprived of their liberty, to the severe lack of basic supplies and medical care in Gaza, and the millions displaced across the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon, and beyond.
We stand alongside the international Red Cross Red Crescent Movement in continuing to urgently call for all sides to end the armed conflict and to respect international humanitarian law.
This means civilians should never be targets, they must be protected. It means allowing essential aid and medical care to reach people in need, the immediate release of hostages, and treating detainees with dignity, and to protect civilian buildings such as schools and hospitals.
“The sheer destruction, the disregard for people’s lives and dignity, are appalling. This conflict threatens to set a dangerous tolerance for violations which could set a precedent for how wars are fought in the future. The Geneva Conventions insist: every human life is equally worth of protection.”
“Among the most shocking impact is the agony children have had to bear. Children have been ripped from their families and held hostage. In Gaza, surgeons treat toddlers whose skin is charred from widespread burns. What more must children endure? The images of suffering, dead and wounded children will haunt us all. This is a moral failing,” said Mirjana Spoljaric, ICRC President.
People lining up to collect water in Gaza.
Our humanitarian work is guided by our principles
Our Movement partners are doing everything they can to help people on the ground in Gaza, other occupied Palestinian territories, Israel, and affected neighbouring countries. They’ve been providing life-saving assistance to people in need.
Our partners on the ground include the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Lebanese Red Cross, Magen David Adom in Israel, Palestine Red Crescent Society, Syrian Arab Red Crescent, and many more National Societies.
Our unique position as impartial, neutral, and independent humanitarians means we don’t take sides. We’re not part of the conflict. We respond to the humanitarian needs of people affected by this conflict without discrimination, wherever and whoever they are.
The ongoing and increasing violence has torn families and communities apart. ICRC established hotlines in Arabic, Hebrew, and English for people who want to know about where and what has happened their loved ones. The hotline has had over 8000 enquiries and over 2000 cases have now been closed. We also provide a support service to people in Aotearoa New Zealand who have lost contact with family members.
Emergency appeals set up by ICRC and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) last year continue to be a crucial lifeline helping to support people with essential life-saving aid to those most in need.
Magen David Adom teams in Israel.
Over 90% of the 2.1 million people living in the Gaza Strip have been displaced, many multiple times. For the last 12 months, Gaza has been under an electricity black out. Many hospitals and schools have closed. There is no longer a properly functioning healthcare system, or continuum of care for the injured and sick after discharge – many coping with serious injuries.
Infrastructure has been decimated and, as a result, sewage water is spreading around many displaced communities. Piles of garbage grow as municipal work is halted from lack of fuel, human resources and safety issues.
For people living in Gaza, supplies of food, clean water and essential medical care are practically non-existent. Only a fraction of what is needed is arriving through the borders. There are strict restrictions on the safe passage of humanitarian aid which would bring them life-saving food.
Our Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners are working night and day on the ground doing what they can to relieve the suffering, including:
- Supplying weapon-wounded kits, medicines and emergency medical supplies to eight health facilities.
- Providing surgical teams.
- Opening a 60-bed field hospital in Rafah, providing specialist medical care for up to 200 people a day, with support of 14 National Societies and coordinated by Palestine Red Crescent.
- Supporting the basic needs of displaced people with cash assistance, blankets, tarpaulins, water containers, and hygiene parcels.
- Supporting emergency power supply and fuel for the remaining hospitals across Gaza.
Egypt Red Crescent Society and Jordan National Red Crescent Society are both instrumental in warehousing and facilitating the delivery of critical aid into Gaza.
In the West Bank, the situation is deteriorating with increased movement restrictions, military operations and violence resulting in internally displaced people, and severe limitations in health care, education and essential services.
Palestine Red Crescent is working under progressively difficult conditions to provide emergency medical services, evaluate the injured and support displaced people.
ICRC has facilitated the safe passage for Palestine Red Crescent ambulances so teams can provide medical care to the injured. The organisation is also providing medical equipment and supplies, and wheelchairs. They support the most vulnerable with cash grants, and assist authorities with essential supplies of water, solar panels, and wastewater and drainage systems.
ICRC continues dialogue with Hamas at the highest levels asking for the release of all hostages held in Gaza and for their humane treatment. ICRC is also in contact with Israeli authorities requesting access to detainees held in Israel, for their humane treatment, and eventual release.
ICRC is supporting the Israeli Trauma Coalition to deliver stress management training to frontline health workers, providing training for staff at the Association of Rape Crisis Centres. They’ve also provided forensic items for the dignified treatment of humane remains.
With the recent escalation of violence, many more people have lost their lives and thousands injured. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced in the last year – entire families have been forced to flee their homes and livelihoods. They face immense hardship in finding food, shelter, clean water and lifesaving care.
What you can do to help
If you’re able to support our life-saving humanitarian work you can support people in dire need by donating to ICRC’s emergency appeals.
ICRC Israel-Gaza Emergency Appeal
ICRC Emergency Response in Lebanon Appeal
More information
- If you want to know more about the conflict and our Movement’s humanitarian work in the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon, and Israel go to ICRC’s website.
ICRC’s humanitarian operations around the world - If you’ve lost contact with family in occupied Palestinian territories, Israel, and other affected areas can make an enquiry to our Restoring Family Links service. We have information available in Arabic, English, and Hebrew.
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