The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported significant damage to its offices in Gaza following shelling that killed 22 people seeking shelter around its compound. “Heavy-calibre projectiles landed within metres of the office and residences of the International Committee of the Red Cross on Friday afternoon,” the ICRC stated.
The ICRC emphasised that all parties must take precautions to avoid harm to civilians and humanitarian facilities. An Israel Defence Forces spokesman told the BBC that initial inquiries indicated “no indication” of an Israeli strike in the area but noted the incident was “under review.”
The shelling not only damaged the ICRC office but also affected hundreds of displaced civilians living in tents nearby, including many Palestinian colleagues. “This incident caused a mass casualty influx at the nearby Red Cross Field Hospital, with the hospital receiving 22 killed and 45 injured, with reports of additional casualties,” the ICRC reported.
The ICRC labelled the event a “grave security incident,” highlighting a series of similar incidents in recent days. “We decry these incidents that put the lives of humanitarians and civilians at risk,” the statement added.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported different figures, claiming 25 people were killed and 50 injured in the shelling, which it attributed to Israel.
The Israeli military’s campaign against the Palestinian armed group followed an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and 251 hostages taken.
Since then, over 37,390 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, with 14,680 children, women, and elderly among the dead by the end of April.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has warned that escalating hostilities between Israel and the Lebanese Islamist movement Hezbollah could trigger a regional catastrophe.
Guterres called for immediate de-escalation, stressing that Lebanon must not become “another Gaza.” Recent months have seen retaliatory cross-border strikes between Israel and Hezbollah, with Hezbollah claiming to support its ally, Hamas, in Gaza.
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