A team of war surgeons and a specialist in weapons contamination are part of a group of 10 experts from the International Committee of the Red Cross who arrived in Gaza on Friday. They entered alongside six ICRC trucks loaded with critically needed medical supplies and water purification equipment.
The presence of these new humanitarian personnel represents a bolstering of the ICRC’s capacity to provide ongoing assistance to hospitals, deliver life-saving trauma surgery, address the pressing need for clean drinking water, and facilitate the potential reunification of families with released hostages.
“This vital humanitarian support offers some respite, yet it falls far short of the required aid. Our surgical team and medical supplies will alleviate the immense pressure on Gaza’s healthcare professionals. However, there is an urgent demand for secure and continuous humanitarian access. The crisis in Gaza is deepening with each passing moment,” stated Fabrizio Carboni, the ICRC’s regional director for the Near and Middle East.
The newly delivered medical materials, intended for both northern and southern Gaza, comprise war surgery kits – extensive packages of supplies designed to treat individuals with injuries sustained in conflicts. Depending on the severity of injuries, these kits can provide treatment for anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 people.
The water purification supplies feature chlorine tablets capable of treating 50,000 liters of drinking water, offering much-needed relief to the local population grappling with the challenge of accessing safe and clean water sources.
The ICRC calls upon all parties involved in the conflict and states with influence to facilitate swift and unobstructed humanitarian access, adhering to international humanitarian law. Gaza urgently requires consistent humanitarian access and a steady flow of humanitarian aid to address the ongoing crisis.