The ICRC in Israel and the occupied territories

Maps: Israel and the occupied territories

The ICRC started work in Israel and the occupied territories in 1948, following the first Israeli-Arab conflict. Its presence became permanent in the aftermath of the 1967 war. The ICRC repeatedly reminds Israel of its obligations under IHL towards the population living under occupation, through bilateral and confidential dialogue. The organization focuses on the protection of civilians and the welfare of detainees held in Israeli and Palestinian places of detention, and helps the most needy. The ICRC supports the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the Magen David Adom (the Israeli National Society).

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Highlights

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Facts and Figures

In 2012, the ICRC:

visited over 24,700 people detained by Israel or the Palestinian authorities and monitored the medical situation of some 2,000 detainees who were on hunger strike between March and May;
arranged for 110,700 people from the occupied territories to visit their relatives in Israeli places of detention;
improved sanitary conditions for over 390,000 people and assisted over 20,700 impoverished people through cash-for-work projects in Gaza;
provided shelter materials to almost 50,000 people affected by aerial bombardments and house destructions in Gaza and the West Bank;
documented observations made concerning the conduct of hostilities between Gaza and Israel and will be sharing findings with the authorities concerned;
supplied 263 tonnes of medical supplies and 300,000 litres of fuel to key hospitals in Gaza;
facilitated access to land in areas affected by restrictions on movement;
supported the emergency medical services of the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the Magen David Adom in Israel.

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Reference documents

In images More images

Publications More publications

Sixth annual report on the implementation of IHL at the level of Arab States, 2010 – 2011

Implementation of IHL in the Middle East and North Africa.

International Review of the Red Cross More articles

Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine

Gaza: civilians in the firing line
On top of a year and a half of restrictions came three weeks of intense fighting. For the people of Gaza, who bore the brunt of a conflict in which there are no winners, the road to normality and dignity is still a long one. Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 1, 2009.