Critical infrastructure people depend on must not be targeted: Red Cross on Gaza siege

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said Tuesday that critical infrastructure must not be targeted following Israel's supply cut announcement in Gaza.

"Critical infrastructure that people depend on to live – including electricity and water networks – must not be targeted. Irrespective of any military siege, the authorities must ensure that civilians have access to basic necessities, including safe water, food and medical care," President Mirjana Spoljaric said in a statement.

Spoljaric said the ICRC is ready to do everything to help as she voiced "extreme" concern about the suffering of families.

"Humanitarian workers must be allowed free passage to assist those in need," she said. "Medical facilities and medical personnel must never be targeted."

She said civilians always pay the highest price in a conflict and urged parties to respect obligations under international humanitarian law and to take every step to prevent civilians from further harm.

"All sides must exercise restraint and protect civilian lives and property. Killing civilians and ill-treatment are prohibited by the Geneva Conventions," she said. "In addition, the Conventions demand that the wounded and sick are cared for. People detained must be treated humanely and with dignity. Hostage-taking is prohibited under international humanitarian law and hostages should be immediately released unharmed."

The statement noted that recent violence in Israel and Gaza is at a level that has not been seen in years and has the "potential to escalate dramatically, causing even more pain and anguish on all sides."

"Without immediate restraint, we are heading for a humanitarian disaster," the ICRC warned. It said heightened war rhetoric leads to greater civilian suffering.

The Palestinian group Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel early Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets and infiltrating Israel by land, sea and air. It said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and growing settler violence against Palestinians.

In retaliation, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza has risen to 830, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said early Tuesday. It said the number of wounded has risen to around 4,250.

More than 1,000 Israelis have been killed in the fighting, according to the Israeli daily Haaretz.