Gaza Conflict: Red Cross Chief Describes Situation as "Worse than Hell on Earth"
The situation in Gaza has been described as "worse than hell on Earth" by the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric. In an interview with the BBC at the ICRC headquarters in Geneva, Spoljaric expressed her deep concern about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
According to Spoljaric, humanity is failing to address the suffering of Palestinians and the conflict in Gaza. She stated that states are not doing enough to end the war, alleviate the suffering of Palestinians, and release Israeli hostages. The ICRC president also highlighted that Palestinians have been stripped of their human dignity, and international humanitarian law is being eroded.
The ICRC, an international organisation that operates in war zones, has over 300 staff in Gaza, most of whom are Palestinians. Its surgical hospital in Rafah, in southern Gaza, is the closest medical facility to the area where many Palestinians have been killed during chaotic aid distribution in the last few days. The organisation reported that its Rafah surgical teams received 184 patients yesterday morning, including 19 people who died on arrival and eight others who succumbed to their wounds shortly afterwards. This was the highest number of casualties from a single incident at the field hospital since it was established just over a year ago.
As the custodian of the Geneva Conventions, the ICRC is deeply concerned about the protection of civilians in wars. The fourth Geneva Convention, agreed after World War Two, is designed to safeguard civilians in conflict zones. Spoljaric emphasised that the rules of war apply to all parties and that the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 did not justify the current events.
The ICRC president also expressed her concern about talk of "victory at all costs, total war, and dehumanisation." She stressed that the situation in Gaza surpasses any acceptable legal, moral, and humane standard. The organisation is working tirelessly to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict.
In an interview with the BBC, Spoljaric said: "Gaza has become worse than hell on Earth. Humanity is failing. States are not doing enough to end the war, end the suffering of Palestinians, and release Israeli hostages." The BBC has been informed that Jeremy Bowen’s full interview with Mirjana Spoljaric will be available on the BBC website later today.
The ICRC’s comments come as the international community continues to grapple with the complexities of the Gaza conflict. The organisation’s work in Gaza and other conflict zones highlights the need for a renewed focus on international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians in wars. As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the ICRC’s efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and promote respect for international humanitarian law are crucial in mitigating the suffering of those affected by the conflict.
The BBC understands that the ICRC is deeply committed to its work in Gaza and other conflict zones, and its staff are working tirelessly to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need. The organisation’s president, Mirjana Spoljaric, has called for an end to the violence and a return to dialogue, highlighting the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
