Deirdre Garvey, Secretary General, Irish Red Cross urgently warns: “The situation in Gaza is beyond critical: it is a race against time. We are seeing complete unavailability of essential medications, a dire food shortage that risks widespread food insecurity and a crippling fuel crisis that has grounded over half of PRCS’s ambulances.”

Gaza’s health sector is on the verge of total collapse. Hospitals and clinics have been directly targeted or forced to shut down due to lack of fuel and supplies. Medicines for chronic illnesses, antibiotics, and infant formula are no longer available, leaving thousands of people – especially children, the elderly, and the wounded – at imminent risk.

The Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah, operated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, reported its largest mass casualty incident on Monday 16 June with 244 cases received, and 172 the day before. These were people with gunshot wounds and explosive injuries who were reportedly at or near aid distribution centres. The Red Cross Field Hospital was operating at 195% bed occupancy yesterday morning (17 June). 

The situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. Over two million people are now living in inhumane conditions, with many displaced numerous times and sheltering in overcrowded camps or in the open, lacking clean water, food, or sanitation. PRCS food stocks are fully depleted, and essential non-food relief supplies such as tents, blankets, and hygiene kits have run out. In early June, PRCS had been providing 1,000 hot meals per day, previously it had been 3,000 per day.

In recent weeks, forced evacuations, intensified attacks on medical missions, and the continued closure of border crossings have sharply increased humanitarian and medical needs. The PRCS estimates that their ability to provide even minimum health services could end within two months.

“Every day without adequate aid means more lives lost, more suffering endured. An entire population is facing starvation and preventable deaths. We must act now and without delay to prevent further unimaginable suffering and loss of life,” said Ms Garvey.

The Irish Red Cross reiterates our urgent call for:

• An immediate ceasefire and respect for international humanitarian law
• Safe, unhindered humanitarian access at all times
• Civilians and aid workers to be protected and never to be targeted
• Urgent action to open all crossing points and passages
• Allow sustainable entry of medical supplies and fuel into the entire Gaza Strip
• Lift restrictions on the import of specific items critical to the humanitarian response, such as specialised medical equipment, shelter items, and vehicles
• Medical evacuations from the Gaza Strip to other countries must be urgently facilitated, through accelerated approvals and the use of all possible crossing points