Israel and the occupied territories: Hospitals risk turning into morgues without electricity; hostages must be released immediately

Geneva (ICRC) – The human misery caused by this escalation is abhorrent, and I implore the sides to reduce the suffering of civilians.

As Gaza loses power, hospitals lose power, putting newborns in incubators and elderly patients on oxygen at risk. Kidney dialysis stops, and X-rays can’t be taken. Without electricity, hospitals risk turning into morgues.

Families in Gaza are already having trouble accessing clean water. No parent wants to be forced to give a thirsty child dirty water.

At the same time Israeli families are worried sick about loved ones taken hostage. The taking of hostages is prohibited under international humanitarian law, and anyone being held should be immediately released.

We are now in contact with Hamas and Israeli officials as part of efforts on this issue. As a neutral intermediary we stand ready to conduct humanitarian visits; facilitate communication between hostages and family members; and to facilitate any eventual release.

About the ICRC

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a neutral, impartial and independent organization with an exclusively humanitarian mandate that stems from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. It helps people around the world affected by armed conflict and other violence, doing everything it can to protect their lives and dignity and to relieve their suffering, often alongside its Red Cross and Red Crescent partners.