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ICRC chief: War on Gaza has 'ruptured any sense of a shared humanity'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 Mar 2024 15:32
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The ICRC's president called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urged 'Israel' to allow aid into Gaza, labeling it as an occupying power.

A photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, shows the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Mirjana Spoljaric during her meeting at the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow, Russia. (AP)

The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross stated today that the war in Gaza has "ruptured any sense of a shared humanity."

ICRC head Mirjana Spoljaric made three urgent calls with the first one being "A cessation of hostilities to allow for meaningful assistance to reach the people in need."

She added that the ICRC must be "notified" of any Palestinians detained by "Israel" and must be permitted to visit them, highlighting that "Israel" had a duty to treat them "humanely" and allow them to "communicate with family".

Spoljaric further stated that "hostages held by Hamas" should be "released unconditionally and their dignity, safety and medical needs cared for" adding that the ICRC reiterates its call to be "allowed to visit the hostages."

The needed aid is 'only part of the solution'

The ICRC head stated that providing a stable and essential flow of majorly needed aid into Gaza was "only part of the solution."

"Alleviating the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza starts with a clear will and measures that safeguard civilian life and human dignity, meaning both sides must conduct their military operations in a way that spares the civilians who are caught in the middle," Spoljaric added.

"The only way to achieve this is that the parties strictly adhere to international humanitarian law, which means preserving the life, dignity, and humanity of all people affected by armed conflict, regardless of which side they are on."

"It is the line between humanity and barbarity," she emphasized, urging that "preserving civilian life and health is the rule, not the exception."

'Israel' as an occupying power

She then highlighted "Israel's" role in allowing aid into Gaza, explaining, "As an occupying power, Israel must provide for the basic needs of the population or facilitate the safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian relief."

The war had "ruptured any sense of a shared humanity", she stressed, adding that "The situation in the Gaza Strip degenerates by the hour. There is nowhere safe for people to go. The civilian death toll and the ongoing captivity of hostages are shocking and unacceptable."

"In the face of such deep suffering", the ICRC urged for an immediate ceasefire to allow "a steady, robust flow of humanitarian aid" to reach people in Gaza.

Spoljaric called on world leaders to implement respect for international law as a "political priority".