IFRC president says she’s witnessed ‘catastrophic’ conditions in Gaza

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - The president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said Wednesday that she witnessed firsthand the catastrophic realities faced by civilians in Gaza amid the ongoing crisis in the enclave.

Kate Forbes emphasized the urgent need for protection and humanitarian aid in the region.

"Today, I visited Gaza, where I witnessed the catastrophic and utterly dire conditions firsthand," Forbes said. "What I saw reiterated that civilians, medical facilities and our Red Cross and Red Crescent teams need protection. Our teams (also) need access to deliver vital life-saving humanitarian aid."

She recounted the tireless efforts of Palestine Red Crescent Society (Palestine RCS) staff and volunteers, who provide medical support and run special programs for children.

"From the round-the-clock medical support to special programs for children who've lost everything, the Palestine RCS staff and volunteers show unwavering support in the most difficult circumstances imaginable," Forbes said, acknowledging the resilience of those on the frontlines of humanitarian efforts.

She emphasized that beyond the statistics, the crisis in Gaza is fundamentally about people and their inherent right to dignity and protection.

"What I took away from today’s visit is that this crisis isn’t just about numbers; this is about people and their need for dignity and protection. We must protect the most vulnerable," she said.

Israel has launched a deadly offensive in the Gaza Strip since the Palestinian group Hamas launched a cross-border incursion on Oct. 7, killing at least 27,708 Palestinians and injuring 67,174 others, while nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack.

The Israeli offensive has left 85% of Gaza’s population internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.