Increasing numbers of civilians are dying or injured in the escalating crisis in Gaza and Red Cross personnel on the ground describe the situation of civilians in Gaza as intolerable

Mr. Noel Wardick, Head of the International Department, Irish Red Cross said that "a daily ceasefire, if fully adhered to by both sides, would contribute in some way to allowing the Red Cross to reach people in need but that a long term solution to the conflict is what is needed most."

"We are dealing with a full blown and major crisis in humanitarian terms. The situation for the people in Gaza is extreme and traumatic as a result of ten days of uninterrupted fighting."

"People are scared. It is now critical that the parties to this conflict do everything to keep civilians out of the firing line." He added that "direct attacks against civilians are prohibited, as are indiscriminate attacks. Furthermore, military objectives must not be located in or near densely populated areas."

The only people that can legitimately be attacked are those who participate directly in the hostilities. Everyone else must be spared. Likewise, essential civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, and the water supply and sewage networks must not be directly attacked.

Respect for the rules of war, the Geneva Conventions – protection of civilians, distinction between civilians and combatants, measures of precaution – are of the utmost importance, all the more so when one considers that Gaza is one of the world’s most densely populated areas.

Access to medical care

The crisis, in terms of access to medical care, is worsening by the day in Gaza and Mr. Wardick said that many people in Gaza don't get the emergency medical care they need.

"Some people are even dying because ambulances can't reach them in time, which is frankly unacceptable, if we could get the ambulances to the casualties it would make a real difference in terms of saving lives," he explained.

Situation in Gaza hospitals

Emergency rooms and intensive care units are stretched to the breaking point. Hospitals are overcrowded and staff are exhausted.

Mr. Wardick said, "Our colleagues on the ground say that hospitals now depend entirely on generator power but these generators could break down at any moment from the lack of maintenance and spare parts over the past 18 months. On Monday, there was concern that two hospitals were about to run out of generator fuel. The Red Cross is trying to solve this problem by negotiating safe passage for United Nation’s Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) fuel tankers."

Red Cross activities on the ground in Gaza

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) key activities in the Gaza strip primarily concern the provision of access to medical care and support to hospitals. This includes:

• Making available drugs and essential medical items for 3,000 wounded and several thousand more lightly wounded and sick patients in hospitals.
• Providing new supplies of blood and 1,000 doses of tetanus vaccines into Gaza.
• Providing additional material such as plastic sheeting to cover broken hospital windows.

Mr. Wardick concluded by restating the firm position of the Red Cross with regard to the parties to the conflict;

"While there has been a stated willingness by the Israeli authorities to facilitate the conduct of humanitarian activities, which has translated into the possibility to transfer material and supplies into the Gaza Strip, movements on the ground remain extremely difficult and dangerous because of the conflict dynamic underway. This is happening despite coordination mechanisms put in place. The ICRC insists that the ability to access people in need and infrastructure affected must improve immediately".

Notes for Editor

The Irish Red Cross can arrange interviews with Mr Noel Wardick, Head of the International Department, Irish Red Cross

Contact: Dave Curtin 086 283 2123 or Pia Ward, Communications Assistant, Irish Red Cross 01 642 4612 communications@redcross.ie