GENEVA, May 2 (WSH) — The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a critical tipping point, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned on Friday, as two months of aid blockade and six weeks of intense conflict have brought relief operations to the verge of total collapse. Civilians, already enduring relentless hostilities and displacement, are now without food, clean water, and critical medical supplies.
Civilians Struggle for Survival Amid Relentless Conflict
“Civilians in Gaza are facing an overwhelming daily struggle to survive the dangers of hostilities, cope with relentless displacement, and endure the consequences of being deprived of urgent humanitarian assistance,” said Pascal Hundt, ICRC Deputy Director of Operations. “This situation must not—and cannot—be allowed to escalate further.”
According to the ICRC, the ability to sustain relief operations, including food kitchens and emergency medical support, is now in jeopardy without the immediate resumption of aid deliveries.
Humanitarian Operations Severely Undermined
The ICRC’s common kitchens—often providing the sole meal per day for many families—will run out of resources in the coming weeks if aid remains blocked. The Red Cross Field Hospital in Gaza is also dangerously low on medical supplies, with several essential drugs and consumables already depleted.
Health facilities across Gaza are struggling to maintain life-saving services, reallocating limited stocks and narrowing care to only the most critical cases. The collapse of the water and sanitation infrastructure has heightened the risk of widespread waterborne diseases, as pipeline closures and the destruction of sewage vehicles cripple public health.
Attacks on Medical Workers and Infrastructure Escalate
The humanitarian situation is further compounded by repeated attacks on medical personnel and infrastructure. In April alone, 15 humanitarian workers, including eight Palestine Red Crescent medics, were killed. Damage to key health facilities, including Kuwait Field Hospital and Al Ahli Hospital, has left Gaza’s fragile health system in ruins.
The ICRC emphasized that such attacks represent blatant violations of international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of medical facilities and personnel in all circumstances.
Urgent Call for Action: Aid Access, Civilian Protection, and Release of Hostages
The ICRC reiterated its call for immediate and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, the release of hostages, and the protection of civilians. With movement increasingly restricted due to security concerns, ICRC teams face mounting challenges in maintaining basic operations.
“International humanitarian law is clear: medical personnel and facilities must be respected and protected. Hospitals must remain sanctuaries for life,” the organization stressed.
Without swift and coordinated international action, the ICRC warns that Gaza may descend into irreversible chaos—beyond the reach of any humanitarian response.
