The IRC calls for essential supplies to urgently enter northern Gaza amid killing of eight partner staff

Amman, Jordan, November 6, 2024 - The International Rescue Committee (IRC) partners with Juzoor - a Palestinian NGO dedicated to ensuring access to healthcare - to deliver mobile health services in northern Gaza. Recent and intensifying attackson northern Gaza's last functioning hospitals, with medical workers arbitrarily detained,has made it almost impossible to deliver lifesaving care to Palestinians in the north. Juzoor's medical points and shelters have taken direct hits from Israeli airstrikes - killing eight of Juzoor's medical team and destroying vital medicines, supplies, and equipment. IRC and Juzoor's medical points in Jabalia camp have had to cease operating, as it is one of the areas worst hit by bombardment.

Civilians are bearing the brunt of the fighting once again. At least one hundred thousand civilians are trappedamid intense bombardment and fighting in northern Gaza, according to the UN. These recent attacks have been the most destructive and the most devastating in Gaza over the past year, with seven mass casualtyincidents reported in the last week alone, and scores of children killed.

Health needs are sky rocketing and hunger is worsening, with the population classified in IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe) expected to nearly triplein the coming months. Yet, 83% of aidis currently blocked and for the past month, Israel has not permitted aidto enter northern Gaza in what amounts to siege. For the past year, the overall amount of aid, including lifesaving medical supplies, entering Gaza has plummeted to record lows, sinking to just 36 trucks per day last month, despite the mounting needs. Prior to October 2023, more than 500 trucks were needed per day to meet the humanitarian needs in Gaza.

IRC condemns the killing of our Palestinian colleagues and offers condolences to their families. We urge immediate lifting of restrictions on aid into northern Gaza. In particular, we echo Juzoor's call for medical supplies. As the occupying poweraccording to international law 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.

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.

Bart Witteveen, IRC's Country Director for the occupied Palestinian territory, said:

"As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the protection of civilians, health workers, and humanitarian personnel remain non-negotiable obligations. We offer our deepest condolences to our colleagues at Juzoor. We call urgently on the Israeli government to allow aid to enter northern Gaza, in particular food and medical supplies, which are so desperately needed to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population."