GENEVA, October 1, 2025 (WAFA) - The intensification of military operations in Gaza City has forced the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to temporarily suspend operations at its Gaza City office and relocate staff to ICRC offices in southern Gaza to ensure staff safety and operational continuity.
In a statement, the ICRC stressed that, “This comes as tens of thousands of people still in Gaza City face harrowing humanitarian conditions and are in desperate need of more assistance.”
According to the statement, “In Gaza City today, civilians are being killed, forcibly displaced and made to endure dire conditions. First responders, including the Palestine Red Crescent Society and Civil Defence, have been working relentlessly to provide relief but their movement and ability to safely reach the civilian population has been severely constrained.”
The ICRC affirmed that it will continue striving to provide support to civilians in Gaza City, whenever circumstances allow, from its offices in Deir al-Balah and Rafah, which remain fully operational.
It explained: “This includes providing medical donations to the few remaining health facilities in Gaza City and doing the utmost to facilitate the movements of first responders. In Rafah, the Red Cross Field Hospital will continue to be a lifeline for the many wounded patients pouring in.”
The ICRC noted that it has been present in Gaza City for decades, stressing that following the latest intensification of hostilities, its teams remained as long as possible to protect and support the most vulnerable people.
The organization confirmed that it remains committed to returning as soon as conditions allow.
Over the past two weeks, the ICRC said it has provided the few remaining hospitals and health-care centres in Gaza City with life-saving medical supplies as they received a surge in weapon-wounded patients.
It added: “We supported baking facilities in 14 displacement camps that provide 45,000 loaves of bread per day. ICRC teams provided water tanks, trucking services, and supported water and wastewater network repairs alongside local service providers.”
The statement emphasized: “Lives can still be saved today. A cessation of hostilities is imperative and urgent. Under international humanitarian law, civilians must be protected whether they stay or leave Gaza City. Israel, as the occupying power, has an obligation to ensure their basic needs are met.”
It further underlined that, “Medical personnel, units and means of transport, as well as civil defence personnel must be respected and protected. The rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance must be allowed and facilitated across the Gaza Strip.”
T.R.
