Latest Update
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Al Quds Hospital and its administrative buildings are damaged in a widespread fire, according to a report received yesterday. A press release was issued by the International Red Cross condemning the destruction of PRCS facilities in Gaza.
The International Red Cross describes the situation as completely and utterly unacceptable based on every known standard of international humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles and values, and condemns the fact that the facilities have been so severely damaged, preventing PRCS staff from sufficiently carrying out their humanitarian mission. In particular, the second floor of the Hospital suffered a direct hit, causing fires in the pharmacy and severe damages in many parts of the Hospital.
Five hundred people, among them thirty war-wounded patients, are now huddled on the ground floor of the PRCS Hospital for fear of their lives, choking on dust and fumes resulting from the attacks.
Furthermore, this morning the PRCS warehouse was enveloped in a fire after an attack by the Israelis Defense Force (IDF). PRCS volunteers who rushed to the scene in an effort to put out the fire were prevented from doing so by the IDF, who opened fire at them. The PRCS warehouse is in a compound that also houses a large fuel depot - the fear now is that the depot will be ignited causing further loss of lives and property which could have been avoided. The International Red Cross also notes and deplores IDF attacks against the United Nations compound and warehouses.
The International Red Cross is fully active and operational in the region. It continues to deplore the dire humanitarian situation and the suffering of the people in Gaza. On the other hand, the International Red Cross applauds the ongoing humanitarian work being carried out by the medical staff and volunteers of the PRCS. It commented on the fact that their job has not been facilitated as it should be according to customary and universal standards applicable in conflict situations.
Thousands of people are in urgent need of medical attention which is next to impossible to deliver, due to the ongoing hostilities and the massive obstacles preventing humanitarian access to the civilian population. The parties of the conflict must immediately facilitate humanitarian access to the suffering population in Gaza.
According to PRCS, at least 980 people have died in Gaza since hostilities began on 27th December, among them about 290 children. About 4,418 people have been wounded and more than 37% are children.
The Hong Kong Red Cross is monitoring the situation and is in close contact with the International Red Cross. No appeal has been launched for this operation in Hong Kong at the moment.
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