Red Cross makes urgent call for protection of civilians in Gaza Strip

By Mahmoud Barakat

ANKARA (AA) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued an urgent plea on Sunday for the protection of civilians in the Gaza Strip, "trapped in fighting, whether they are trying to evacuate or staying where they are."

In a statement, ICRC said the attacks are underway in densely populated areas and around hospitals which poses a risk to the lives of "the most vulnerable people, like medical staff, patients, the wounded, premature babies, people with disabilities, and the elderly."

"An unbearable human tragedy is unfolding in front of our eyes. People call us day and night, saying they are afraid to open their door for fear of getting killed and pleading to help them reach safety," said William Schomburg, the head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Gaza.

"As a humanitarian worker, I feel frustrated not to be able to respond to these calls, as our teams lack basic security conditions to move in North Gaza," Schomburg said.

The ICRC has expressed grave concern about the precarious and unsafe conditions under which civilians are evacuating.

"Men, women, and children, waving white flags, walk for dozens of kilometers past dead bodies lying on the streets and without necessities like food and water," it said.

The NGO stated that there are 100,000 displaced people who lack necessities such as shelter, food, water, and hygiene supplies.

"The situation is rapidly approaching a humanitarian disaster," it said, reiterating "its call for unimpeded and regular flow of humanitarian assistance".