RAMALLAH, December 4, 2024 (WAFA) – The head of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Younis Al-Khatib said today that society’s crews and relief teams working in the Gaza Strip are facing unprecedented violations of international humanitarian law by the Israeli occupation.

He made the remarks during a conference held at the PRCS headquarters in Al-Bireh, in the presence of Jagan Chapagain, the Secretary-General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

He stressed that these violations hinder humanitarian response efforts on the ground, affirming that the Israeli occupation has practically cancelled the role of the international community and international humanitarian law in achieving protection for civilians and humanitarian workers.

Al-Khatib called for the necessity of reaching a permanent ceasefire, allowing the flow of humanitarian aid without restrictions, and enhancing safe access so that the association's crews can deliver aid to all those in need in the Gaza Strip.

For his part, Chapagain stressed the importance of the role played by the PRCS in providing its humanitarian services to affected citizens in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, highlighting that the enormous and growing humanitarian needs require concerted international efforts to provide humanitarian services that preserve the dignity of citizens.

He called on the international community to find sustainable political solutions that put an end to the suffering of people in Gaza.

The conference was followed by a stand on the International Volunteer Day, which falls on December 5, under the slogan "Let's protect humanity".

The stand is part of the global campaign launched by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies this year to demand the protection of humanitarian workers.

The PRCS’s volunteers carried candles and placed 21 robes bearing the Red Crescent logo on the ground, in memory of the Society's workers (19 in Gaza, and two in the West Bank) who were killed by the Israeli occupation while performing their humanitarian duty, since October 7, 2023.

Chapagain, in the meantime, saluted the Red Crescent and Red Cross volunteers around the world, praising the efforts of the PRCS volunteers in the Gaza Strip who are making great sacrifices to serve humanity, stressing the need to protect them so that they can continue to provide their life-saving services.

He affirmed that it is unacceptable for volunteers to lose their lives while trying to save the lives of others.

A.D./ K.F.