ICRC Strictly Condemns Israeli Attacks That Hit Its Representative Office In Rafah

ICRC illustration. (Source: ICRC)

JAKARTA - The International Red Cross Committee (ICRC) strongly condemns the Israeli attack that hit its representative office in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

In an announcement on its website, the ICRC wrote that its office in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, was damaged by an explosive projectile even though the facility already had a clear marker and was notified to all parties.

"No staff were injured in this incident, but this had a direct impact on ICRC's ability to operate," the organization said on its official website, Monday, March 24.

"The ICRC strongly condemns the attack on its office," the organization said.

The increasing hostilities in Gaza over the past week have had a significant humanitarian impact, with hundreds of civilians killed, some still buried under the rubble while others fell behind and could not be saved.

Israel launched another attack on Israel on Tuesday last week, following the end of the ceasefire agreed on January 19. A day later, Israel announced another ground operation in the Palestinian enclave.

New evacuation orders and intense hostilities caused people to flee without knowing clearly which areas were safe, and many people had no other place to go, the ICRC said.

Many were forced to leave their tents and belongings. In addition, food and clean water supplies are running low. Medical facilities, including the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah, are now also responding to incidents that claimed mass casualties.

The ICRC said the resumption of hostilities and violence caused loss of hope on all sides.

Yesterday, contacts with emergency medical technicians from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) were cut off and their whereabouts remain unknown. Last week, humanitarian workers in Gaza were killed and injured.

He added that international humanitarian law provides special protection to humanitarian and medical aid personnel, medical facilities and objects used for humanitarian aid operations.

They must be respected and protected in all situations to ensure maintenance continuity, they must not be attacked, the ICRC said.

"The parties must do their best to ensure their safety by giving clear and firm instructions to gun carriers," the organization added.