Our work in Israel and the occupied territories
The ICRC has been present in Israel and the occupied territories (including the Golan, West Bank and Gaza Strip, and Shebaa Farms) since 1967.
As a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organization, we promote compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) and work to mitigate the impact of armed conflict including occupation. Our protection activities include documentation of harm to civilians due to hostilities, working to find answers for those whose loved ones are unaccounted for, and visits to detainees.
In Gaza, our response is focused on lifesaving action and helping civilians affected by years of conflict . Our programmes enable communities to access medical care, economic and livelihood support, and raise awareness on unexploded ordinance. We also support continued delivery of water and wastewater services, dignified management of the dead, together with local organizations and authorities.
In the West Bank, we support communities with livelihood programmes, work to improve access to health care and water services through close coordination with the authorities. We engage with armed forces on the ground to facilitate the passage of ambulances.
In Israel and the occupied Golan, we support local organizations and authorities to help them to address needs identified by communities themselves, focusing on mental health and psychosocial support, resilience centres, and provision of medical equipment in communities far from major urban centres.
As a neutral intermediary, the ICRC facilitated the return of 195 people – including 35 deceased – held hostage in Gaza between October 2023 and December 2025; we continue working with authorities and communities in support of those affected. We also facilitated the return of thousands of detainees to Gaza under various ceasefire agreements, as well as hundreds of deceased people.
