10/16/2023

Rare ICRC Public Statement Calls for 'Pause' in Gaza Fighting

The IRC is scaling up to provide life-saving relief

Breaking with its general practice of engaging in purely confidential communications, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) made an exceedingly rare public statement today making clear that "the horrific attacks Israel suffered last weekend” “cannot in turn justify the limitless destruction of Gaza."

The ICRC makes plain in its opening sentence that “nothing can justify” Hamas’ abhorrent actions on Oct. 6. Full stop.

Turning to the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the ICRC, strikingly, states plainly that “instructions issued by the Israeli authorities for the population of Gaza City to immediately leave their homes, coupled with the complete siege explicitly denying them food, water and electricity, are not compatible with international humanitarian law.”

Please select this link to read the complete statement on Just Security.