Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory
An update on how the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including Australian Red Cross, is responding to the humanitarian crisis.
Photo: Palestine Red Crescent Society.
Photo: Magen David Adom.
Since October 2023, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the Movement) has been assisting communities impacted by the devastating escalation to the armed conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory; the escalation of hostilities following the 7 October attacks in Israel and subsequent military operations in the Gaza Strip, alongside rising tensions in the wider region. Civilians have been killed and injured; families have been separated; and many people have been displaced, resulting in severe humanitarian consequences.
Volunteers and staff from Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and Magen David Adom (MDA) – supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) – are on the frontlines of the response.
The conflict, violence and hostilities in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Lebanon, and the impact on other surrounding countries, is deeply distressing. The horrific impacts of the hostilities are also felt deeply by communities here in Australia, including by many of our members, volunteers, staff, and program beneficiaries who are personally impacted.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement takes no side in hostilities. We are guided by the fundamental principle of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. Neutrality is not indifference, and confidentiality does not mean silence; it enables access and the protection of affected people.
We continue to call on all parties to uphold international humanitarian law (IHL), also known as the laws of war, ensuring the protection of civilians, critical infrastructure, healthcare and humanitarian workers and their facilities. We continue to reiterate the IFRC and ICRC's request for:
- the protection of civilians;
- the humane treatment of all detainees;
- unhindered access for aid into, and around, the Gaza Strip; and
- the protection of humanitarian workers, healthcare workers and their facilities.
Red Cross pays our respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander custodians of the country where we work, and to Elders, past, present and emerging.
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