Red Crescent warns of humanitarian crisis as Israel closes Gaza crossings
The Palestine Red Crescent Society has issued a stark warning about the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip following the complete closure of crossings by Israeli forces, particularly the vital Rafah crossing.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Society expressed grave concerns over the prolonged closure of Gaza's crossings, which are crucial lifelines for humanitarian aid delivery. The closure of Rafah, in particular, poses an immediate threat of a humanitarian and health catastrophe.
With food supplies dwindling and Israeli aggression persisting for seven consecutive months, resulting in the displacement of over 85% of the population, Gaza is on the brink of famine. The Society highlighted the critical levels of food insecurity faced by Gazan citizens, exacerbated by the severe scarcity of humanitarian aid due to the closures, constituting a clear violation of international humanitarian law.
Furthermore, the ongoing prevention of fuel delivery by Israel threatens to precipitate a collapse of the health system in the few remaining operational hospitals.
The Red Crescent Society urgently appealed to the international community and humanitarian organizations to intervene and pressure Israeli authorities to reopen the crossings, particularly Rafah, ensuring a consistent and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, without conditions or restrictions. (ILKHA)