Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, describes the ongoing violence in Gaza as worse than hell on earth. During an interview, she criticized the apathy towards the humanitarian crisis and emphasized the need for states to cease hostilities, uphold international laws, and address the dire conditions affecting both Palestinians and Israelis.
Gaza: A Call for Urgent Humanitarian Action Amid Escalating Crisis
Gaza: A Call for Urgent Humanitarian Action Amid Escalating Crisis
The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross paints a dire picture of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, urging world leaders to take immediate action to alleviate suffering.
Gaza has become a humanitarian catastrophe, with the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) stating it is now "worse than hell on earth." Mirjana Spoljaric, the ICRC president, expressed her deep concern during an interview with the BBC, emphasizing humanity's failures in addressing the escalating crisis. "We cannot continue to watch what is happening. It's surpassing any acceptable, legal, moral, and humane standard," she stated, highlighting the "level of destruction and suffering" that has completely stripped the population of dignity.
Spoljaric called for governments worldwide to take greater responsibility in ending the conflict, alleviating the suffering of Palestinians, and securing the release of Israeli hostages. The ICRC, which has been working for over 150 years to alleviate suffering during wars and is the custodian of the Geneva Conventions, reiterated that every party in a conflict must respect international humanitarian law.
While acknowledging Israel's right to self-defense, Spoljaric firmly stated that this cannot justify the ongoing violence, particularly against civilians. "Every state has a right to defend itself. And every mother has a right to see her children return," she remarked. However, the continued killings and the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza raise serious moral questions about the adherence to the rules of war, she noted.
As the ICRC continues to gather information from its staff on the ground—a significant number of whom are Palestinians—Spoljaric highlighted that conditions have deteriorated rapidly. The organization has seen unprecedented numbers of casualties, with 184 patients received on a single morning in Rafah's surgical hospital amid dire circumstances caused by the conflict.
The ICRC president underscored the precarious nature of safety within Gaza, where even healthcare facilities are not secure. She illustrated the harrowing experiences of medical teams, who are working tirelessly in an overwhelmed system. The ICRC's efforts to provide care have been hampered by the chaos surrounding aid distribution, with key operations taking place in active conflict zones.
Spoljaric expressed alarm over the rise of militaristic rhetoric and a disregard for humanitarian protections, warning that a failure to establish a ceasefire could have lasting repercussions for the region’s stability. "If you destroy that pathway forever for good, the region will never find safety and security," she affirmed, urging global leaders to engage in peaceful diplomacy to restore hope for lasting peace.
This marked escalation of violence since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks has resulted in a staggering number of casualties among both Palestinians and Israelis, raising urgent calls for humanitarian intervention and adherence to international laws to protect civilians. The ICRC's message is clear: immediate action is necessary to reverse the spiraling humanitarian crisis in Gaza before it is too late.
Spoljaric called for governments worldwide to take greater responsibility in ending the conflict, alleviating the suffering of Palestinians, and securing the release of Israeli hostages. The ICRC, which has been working for over 150 years to alleviate suffering during wars and is the custodian of the Geneva Conventions, reiterated that every party in a conflict must respect international humanitarian law.
While acknowledging Israel's right to self-defense, Spoljaric firmly stated that this cannot justify the ongoing violence, particularly against civilians. "Every state has a right to defend itself. And every mother has a right to see her children return," she remarked. However, the continued killings and the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza raise serious moral questions about the adherence to the rules of war, she noted.
As the ICRC continues to gather information from its staff on the ground—a significant number of whom are Palestinians—Spoljaric highlighted that conditions have deteriorated rapidly. The organization has seen unprecedented numbers of casualties, with 184 patients received on a single morning in Rafah's surgical hospital amid dire circumstances caused by the conflict.
The ICRC president underscored the precarious nature of safety within Gaza, where even healthcare facilities are not secure. She illustrated the harrowing experiences of medical teams, who are working tirelessly in an overwhelmed system. The ICRC's efforts to provide care have been hampered by the chaos surrounding aid distribution, with key operations taking place in active conflict zones.
Spoljaric expressed alarm over the rise of militaristic rhetoric and a disregard for humanitarian protections, warning that a failure to establish a ceasefire could have lasting repercussions for the region’s stability. "If you destroy that pathway forever for good, the region will never find safety and security," she affirmed, urging global leaders to engage in peaceful diplomacy to restore hope for lasting peace.
This marked escalation of violence since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks has resulted in a staggering number of casualties among both Palestinians and Israelis, raising urgent calls for humanitarian intervention and adherence to international laws to protect civilians. The ICRC's message is clear: immediate action is necessary to reverse the spiraling humanitarian crisis in Gaza before it is too late.
