Media statement on fifth mass casualty incident in Gaza in one week
4 June 2025
Australian Red Cross is devastated by reports of significant civilian casualties arriving at the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah.
In the span of one week, staff at the Red Cross Field Hospital have responded to five mass casualty incidents, four of which occurred in the last 96 hours alone.
Yesterday, the field hospital saw the highest number of weapon-wounded patients received in a single incident since its establishment over a year ago. The high number of patients far exceeded the number of beds at the hospital and threatened to overwhelm its capacity to respond. The unprecedented scale and frequency of recent mass casualty incidents treated at the field hospital is deeply worrying and illustrates the harrowing reality that civilians in Gaza are being forced to endure.
Australian Red Cross Executive Director of International Programs Alex Mathieson said the growing toll on civilians is unacceptable and must stop.
“Civilians in Gaza have struggled to access basic items like food, safe water, and shelter for months. The situation they wake up every day and face is unimaginable, and the high number of casualties we are now seeing indicates violence is increasing,” said Mr Mathieson.
“International humanitarian law is clear: the rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian relief must be allowed and facilitated.”
“The rules of war are not optional. They exist to protect civilians, healthcare and humanitarian workers and those not taking part in hostilities.”
Australian Red Cross joins the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in calling for the urgent protection of civilians and for the rapid, unimpeded and principled delivery of humanitarian aid across Gaza. Humanitarian workers must be able to operate safely and at scale, in accordance with international humanitarian law and the core humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.
We continue to urge all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire and ensure the protection of civilians and those delivering vital assistance.
