Help in the Gaza Strip: Red Cross fights unbearably sorry!

Help in the Gaza Strip: Red Cross fights unbearably sorry!

Gazastreifen, Palästina - The humanitarian Situation in the Gaza Strip has dramatically tightened, which has caused devastating effects on the civilian population. Representatives of the Austrian Red Cross, including Michael Opriesnig, emphasize the urgency to comply with the principles of humanitarianism. Rassi, an important spokesman for the organization, emphasizes the unbearable living conditions: an acute lack of food, water and fuels make the situation unsustainable for the large number of affected people. "Compliance with humanitarian approaches is essential," he notices in a [press conference with] (https://www.kleinezeitung.at/service/newsticker/aussenpolitik/19733071/rotkreuz-treuz--im-gazastreifen-aktiv-akt.

The Gaza Humanitrian Foundation (GHF) started its help on Monday with the distribution of food in the isolated area, but the UN expresses concerns about the new distribution mechanism. In particular, the risk of civilians and the restricted access for old and sick people are in the foreground of criticism.

violence and loss among humanitarian helpers

In the middle of this humanitarian crisis, the security of the helpers is a central concern. According to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), over 300 humanitarian helpers have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023, more than in any other crisis worldwide. It is particularly worrying that the majority of the late Palestinians who have a high risk of providing help. Last air strikes, such as on October 10, 2024 to the Rafida School, asked for numerous civilian victims, including two employees of the IRC partner organization ARD EL-Insan, who lost their lives in this attack, which reinforced the IRC's demand for improved protection for humanitarian helpers.

The ongoing attacks and the lack of security have meant that organizations in the region urgently demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire to ensure the protection of the civilian population. The main reason why a significant number of helpers was killed is the deteriorating access to vital goods through the repeated bombing.

legal situation and humanitarian international law

Humanitarian international law that is used in armed conflicts protects the civilian population in this context by regulating the warfare and reducing the suffering of those affected. It works on the basis of internationally recognized agreements, which in particular guarantee the protection of wounded, prisoners of war and civilians. The crucial components of humanitarian international law include regulations that try to prevent considerable injuries and suffering. Both parties to the conflict are encouraged to avoid humanitarian attacks and to adhere to the rules that should ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian helpers, as in the external AMT explained.

The Austrian Red Cross remains active despite these adverse circumstances, not only in the Gaza Strip, but also in Ukraine and other crisis regions, where there are considerable humanitarian needs. The need for humanitarian aid has increased worldwide and Rassi calls for violence against humanitarian helpers. In summary, Rassi states: "Our trained helpers are here to save lives and must not be sacrificed."