On Friday afternoon, a grenade attack near the office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza Strip claimed more than 20 lives, according to the organization. The ICRC announced that heavy-caliber shells hit “in the immediate vicinity of the office and residential buildings of the International Committee of the Red Cross.” However, no further details were provided about where the attacks came from.
The incident triggered a massive influx of victims to a nearby Red Cross field hospital, which recorded 22 dead and 45 injured. There are reports of further victims. Hundreds of displaced people are living in tents in the area surrounding the ICRC office. Attacks in “dangerous proximity to humanitarian facilities endanger the lives of civilians and Red Cross workers,” the organization stated.
The locations are known to both conflicting parties and clearly marked with the Red Cross emblem. This serious security incident is one of several that have occurred in recent days, including stray bullets hitting ICRC sites before. The organization has repeatedly called on Israel and Hamas to protect civilians during the ongoing conflict in Gaza Strip.
According to Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza Strip, 25 deaths and 50 injuries occurred in the attack. The Israeli army attacked “tents of displaced people in Al-Mawasi.” The ICRC’s office is located near Rafah, and its field hospital was opened mid-May, surrounded by hundreds of refugee tents. Up to 200 people can be cared for there every day and receive urgently needed emergency treatment.
An Israeli army spokesman denied any involvement in an attack on humanitarian zones, stating that it was being investigated separately from other incidents related to total lawlessness in Gaza Strip, making it challenging for humanitarian aid distribution due to its sealed-off nature. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern about this situation and called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to improve conditions in Gaza while also warning about potential escalation with Hezbollah militia in Lebanon due to their pro-Iranian ideology.
Overall, this incident highlights how dangerous it is for humanitarian workers operating in war zones like Gaza Strip where there is a complete lack of law enforcement or protection mechanisms that ensure safe working conditions for them.
In conclusion, this incident underscores how critical it is for both sides involved in conflicts like these to prioritize civilian safety above all else while also respecting international laws regarding human rights and protection mechanisms aimed at helping those affected by conflicts such as displaced persons or wounded soldiers who need medical attention.
