ICRC, IFRC volunteers defy Israeli evacuation order to aid Gazans

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Oct 2023 21:06

The ICRC and the IFRC urged for unrestricted access to the affected areas to assist those most in need.

Palestinians wounded in Israeli air strikes on Gaza Strip are brought to al-Aqsa hospital in Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip, Palestine Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

The Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Jagan Chapagain, and the Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Robert Mardini, announced in a joint statement on Saturday that their volunteers are refusing the Israeli-mandated evacuation of the northern part of the Gaza Strip, saying they are committed to providing ongoing assistance to the local civilians.

The IOF issued a threat on Friday for the residents of Gaza City to move southward "for their own safety." Additionally, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric mentioned that the Israeli military had informed the UN that the inhabitants of the northern Gaza Strip and UN personnel should make arrangements to relocate to the southern part of Gaza within a 24-hour timeframe.

"We are deeply alarmed by the call for relocation in Gaza. Our volunteers refuse to leave and abandon those who need them most. They must be protected so that they can protect others," the statement read.

The statement emphasized the organizations' dedication to continuing their humanitarian efforts for the people impacted by the conflict in the region.

The International Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement is appalled to see the human misery that has unfolded in Israel & Gaza.

We are deeply alarmed by the call for relocation in Gaza.

We call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and to protect civilians. pic.twitter.com/4hXJ4bBV2o
— Jagan Chapagain (@jagan_chapagain) October 14, 2023

They urged for unrestricted access to the affected areas, emphasizing the need "to alleviate the growing human suffering."

"The needs are staggering and will only continue to increase if the hostilities persist. We call on all parties to exercise restraint, to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law, and to protect civilians," the IFRC and ICRC heads said.

Earlier this week, the IFRC reported the tragic loss of five of its personnel in occupied Palestine.

Five IFRC network members killed. Civilians and healthcare workers must be respected and protected. #NotATarget @PalestineRCS @Mdais pic.twitter.com/RbCDRCPxyw
— IFRC (@ifrc) October 11, 2023

Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza said earlier today that there can be no valid death count now as the bodies are currently administered en masse into hospitals, all of whom are civilians.

The latest report estimates that the number of Palestinians killed in the aggression exceeded 2,000, including hundreds of children and women, noting that the occupation is intensifying air and sea strikes on Gaza, which predicts that the numbers are expected to rise massively.

In details provided later, the Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that 2,215 citizens, including 724 children, were martyred and 8,714 people were injured since the start of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.