In recent days, intense fighting has once again had severe consequences for civilians in both Israel and the Gaza Strip. At least 100 rockets have struck Sderot town and the surrounding western Negev region. These attacks resulted in casualties among Israeli civilians, including young children.

At the same time, air strikes and incursions by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) inside the Gaza Strip have caused a high number of fatalities and injuries, including several civilians. The population of Gaza is paying a high price for the violence resulting from daily IDF operations, which have the effect of worsening the already harsh reality of life there.

"The ICRC is in daily contact with the Israeli army and Palestinian armed factions in an effort to persuade them to respect the civilian population," said Christoph Harnisch, head of the ICRC's delegation in Israel and the occupied territories.

The ICRC reminds all parties to the conflict of their obligation to comply with international humanitarian law. In particular, it urgently calls on them to ensure that the civilian population is protected.