Australian Red Cross is devastated by reports of significant civilian casualties near an aid distribution point 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 Red Cross Field Hospital saw the highest number of weapon-wounded patients received in a single incident since the establishment of the field hospital 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.
"No one should lose their life trying to access humanitarian aid. This is yet another mass casualty event in days involving people seeking food and safe water—a stark reminder of the unbearable conditions in Gaza," said Mr Mathieson.
"Every day that principled, safe and sustained humanitarian access is denied, the risk to civilians increases. International humanitarian law must be upheld to ensure their protection."
"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.
