Red Cross on Gaza Crisis: Hostage Access, Aid Delivery, and Hunger

Hostage Rescue and Red Cross Access

• 🤝 The Red Cross has had direct contact with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Herzog regarding hostage access.
• ⚠️ Access for the Red Cross and support for hostages is contingent on an agreement due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
• 🚨 The current security conditions in Gaza are not conducive for safe operations, as it is a battlefield.
• 💡 Visiting hostages or providing support is only possible with security guarantees and a green light to move safely.

Responding to Criticism on Aid Delivery

• 🎯 The priority should be placed on the hostages, their families, and the people in Gaza suffering from lack of food, water, and healthcare.
• 🚫 The Red Cross aims to avoid political considerations and not play politics with the humanitarian disaster.
• 😔 Working in a politicized environment where parties exploit the humanitarian situation is difficult for humanitarian organizations.
• ❤️ Basic compassion is what is lacking in the current situation.

Hunger Crisis and Humanitarian Aid in Gaza

• 🏥 The Red Cross primarily focuses on health activities, operating a field hospital in Rafah, and water activities, with limited food aid.
• 🩸 Over the past six to seven weeks, their field hospital has treated 3,400 wounded, with 250 dying on arrival, many from bullet wounds.
• ⚠️ A stark reality is that people in Gaza face a choice between dying of hunger or dying at food distribution points.
• 🗣️ This situation should be viewed as a basic humanitarian consideration, not a political statement.