IRC calls for the protection of aid workers in Gaza, following the killings of three partner staff in just 24 hours

Amman, Jordan, October 15, 2024 - IRC condemns the killing of three colleagues from two Palestinian organizations we partner with, as a result of Israeli airstrikes last week. Since October 2023, more than 300 aid workers have been killed in Gaza, the highest numberever in any single crisis in the world. The vast majority of those killed are Palestinian, and Palestinian NGOs continue to bear the highest risksin delivering aid.

On 10 October, Israel carried out an airstrike on Rafida school in Deir al-Balah, where displaced people were sheltering. At least 28 people were killed, including women and children. In the attack, two colleagues from IRC's partner Ard el-Insan were killed, and six were injured as they carried out health and nutrition activities. On 11 October, in Jabalia camp in northern Gaza, a colleague from Juzoor, was killed with her entire family when an Israeli airstrike hit her home. The next day, another Israeli airstrike hit the home of another colleague from Juzoor, injuring him along with his family.

Since the beginning of October, Israel has cut off civiliansin northern Gaza from humanitarian aid, subjecting them to increased bombardment and severing the last remaining lifelines for those left behind, affected by more than a year of crisis. These latest attacks occurred both in northern Gaza, where Israel recently issued new mass displacement orders demanding the remaining civilian population to flee south, and in the Israeli-declared "humanitarian zone", which still continues to be subjected to regular bombardment despite civilians being ordered to move there. These attacks underscore that nowhere is safe for civilians in Gaza.

Regardless of where aid organizations are operating, they do not lose their right to protection under International Humanitarian Law. As the occupying power and a party to the conflict, Israel is obligated to guarantee the protectionof the civilian population and facilitate their unhindered access to humanitarian aid, it must ensurethat Gaza is supplied with the food, medical supplies and other basic necessities needed to allow the population to live.

The IRC sends our utmost condolences to Ard el-Insan, Juzoor, and the loved ones of those killed. With the entire population now in need of humanitarian assistance, it is imperative that all parties to the conflict ensure the protection of humanitarian workers and facilitate their life-saving work. Humanitarian workers must never be a target and all perpetrators of attacks on aid workers and assistance must be held accountable.

In light of the desperate need for a massive scale-up in humanitarian aid, the IRC continues to call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire as the only way to protect Palestinian lives and enable the release of the remaining hostages.

Note to Editors

Juzoor:

IRC has partnered with Palestinian NGO, Juzoor for Health and Social Development, to address the health and mental health needs of those displaced and to provide access to basic services for children and families. Together, our three mobile health teams have provided more than 10,000 patient consultations in northern Gaza.

Ard el-Insan:

IRC has partnered with Palestinian NGO, Ard el-Insan to deliver nutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene services to displaced Palestinian families. Together, our mobile nutrition screening teams have been working to screen and treat malnutrition among babies, young children and pregnant and breast-feeding women. We have also been providing hygiene kits and promoting safe hygiene practices.