Geneva: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) stressed Monday the need to deliver humanitarian aid immediately to Gaza and not to politicize it. Christian Cadron, a spokesperson for the ICRC, said that the ICRC remains committed to addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza, but that it must be allowed to do so while respecting the fundamental humanitarian principles of neutrality, humanity, and independence.
According to Qatar News Agency, Cadron emphasized that humanitarian aid must not be politicized, given the immense scale of civilian needs in Gaza. He highlighted that under international humanitarian law, the Israeli occupation must use all available means to ensure that the basic needs of the civilian population under its control are met. Cadron acknowledged the security issues but stressed the urgency in accelerating the delivery of vital aid to the population of Gaza and facilitating the establishment of a safe environment for its distribution.
For weeks, international relief organizations and residents of the Gaza Strip have confirmed that the humanitarian situation is catastrophic, with a severe shortage of basic supplies. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), one of the main food suppliers in the Gaza Strip, announced on April 25 that it had delivered its last remaining food stocks.
Earlier Monday, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) warned that its medical services in the Gaza Strip are severely under-resourced due to the blockade and ongoing Israeli bombardment of the Strip. UNRWA remains one of the most prominent health providers in Gaza, emphasizing that its medical services are severely under-resourced.