The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross delegation in Gaza, Pascal Hunt, warned in an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde that a large-scale Israeli military attack on Rafah would create an "absolute disaster."

Hunt spoke about the horrific humanitarian situation in the Strip, with Israel threatening to launch a military attack on the city of Rafah, where there are more than 1.3 million displaced people.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced the death of more than 29,000 since October 7, 2023, in daily massacres committed by the Israeli occupation forces.

What made the situation worse was the World Food Program's announcement last Tuesday of a "temporary suspension" of aid distribution in the northern Gaza Strip due to the lack of security conditions for aid convoys to enter.

Regarding the extent of the International Committee of the Red Cross's ability to send aid to Gaza, Hunt said that this is not possible, especially after the killing of 14 Palestinian Red Crescent volunteers.

He explained that the security guarantees obtained by the committee are not sufficient, which has made the activity of humanitarian workers more complex, especially in light of the continuing war.

Huge needs

Hunt stressed that there is an urgent need for very huge aid throughout the Gaza Strip, adding, "We spoke with parents who were crying because they saw the trucks passing and they had nothing left to give to their children. There are only 200 trucks that pass through Rafah every day, that is, one truck." For 10 thousand people.

Regarding Israel's intention to invade Rafah, Hunt replied, "We are terrified of that. When it bombed Rafah on February 12, within less than an hour, between 50 and 70 people were killed. This means that any large-scale military operation would be an absolute disaster."

He continued that some are talking about a new population displacement, but that is not available today in Gaza, as there is no place for people where they feel safe, and the need for water, food, and health care is urgent, noting that the health system has collapsed in the Gaza Strip, and a hospital or Two work in Rafah.

Hunt confirmed to the French newspaper that, according to international humanitarian law, people can be displaced for security reasons, but this displacement must be temporary, but what is happening is that entire areas in Gaza City have been destroyed and entire neighborhoods in Khan Yunis as well, and if the same fate would befall Rafah.” What will be the future of the Palestinians in Gaza: living in tents for 10 years?

According to Hunt, the Palestinians feel that the international community has completely abandoned them, especially those working in the humanitarian field who believe that all countries have ratified the Geneva Conventions and must also abide by their provisions. He stressed that the committee is still providing some of its simple services in Rafah despite the lack of capabilities compared to its size. "We all feel as if we are on the list, but we do not know when our turn will come," Hunt quoted one of the Palestinians as saying.

Source: Le Monde