Israel and the occupied territories

In Israel and the occupied territories, the ICRC strives to bring about a difference in people's lives through its activities and programmes. We act as neutral intermediary, strive to maintain family contacts and reunite families, support livelihood projects, and help improve access to the essential services, like water and electricity. Above all, we stand up for people and promote their rights and dignity.

Since the dramatic escalation of the conflict on 7 October 2023, we are sparing no effort to attenuate on both sides the humanitarian consequences of an unprecedented crisis. We are calling for safe and sustained humanitarian access and remind all parties that international humanitarian law protects civilians, medical facilities and humanitarian personnel.

We have been present in Israel and the occupied territories since 1967 and work with the Palestine Red Crescent Society and Magen David Adom in Israel. The ICRC has offices in Tel Aviv, the West Bank and Gaza.

 

 

Latest Update
In numbers

From 7 October 2023 to 31 January 2024

  • 5846 requests
    registered from family members seeking to clarify the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones through existing channels and additional emergency hotlines in Arabic, Hebrew, and English. So far, more than 600 cases have been closed.
  • 109 hostages
    were transferred from Gaza to their families in Israel.
  • 154 Palestinian detainees
    were released from Israeli places of detention and transferred home under ICRC’s auspices.
  • 11,164 forensic items
    distributed to facilitate the dignified management, identification and eventual return of human remains to their families. 1,200 items distributed in Israel. Over 9,800 items distributed in Gaza.
  • 8 local health facilities
    received medical supplies, enabling around 19,000 individuals to receive emergency medical care in Gaza.
  • 1320 surgical procedures
    performed at the European Gaza Hospital since 1 November 2023, of which, around 50% were general surgical interventions, 26.5% were reconstructive surgery, and 23.5% were orthopaedic surgery.
  • 126 real-time interventions
    done with authorities to facilitate access and safe passage for Palestinian red Crescent ambulances because of the violence in the West Bank.
  • 50,000 vulnerable individuals
    in Gaza, mostly persons internally displaced by the hostilities, received cash assistance to cover basic needs for one month.

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