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Gaza: No One Should Be Killed or Wounded Seeking Aid
June 16, 2025
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As a humanitarian organisation, the Irish Red Cross is unwavering in our commitment to the principles of humanity, neutrality, independence, and impartiality. These principles guide every action we take in Gaza and in every corner of the world where people are suffering. Humanitarian aid must never be politicised.
The Situation in Gaza
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is beyond belief. Civilians are enduring unimaginable suffering. Our colleagues in Gaza are risking their lives every day to provide lifesaving aid, even as they themselves are victims of this crisis. Some have made the ultimate sacrifice, killed while wearing the protective emblem of the Red Crescent. Critical infrastructure – hospitals, water systems, and sanitation – has been decimated, placing lives at risk every hour.
At the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah, staff and volunteers are working under impossible conditions. In the past three weeks alone, they have treated more mass casualty cases than in the previous twelve months combined.
Just yesterday (15 June), 174 people arrived with gunshot and shrapnel wounds — reportedly injured while trying to collect food or humanitarian aid. This is a violation of international humanitarian law. It must not continue. Today (16 June) we are hearing reports from our Red Cross colleagues of the single largest mass casualty event with 240 cases presenting at the field hospital.
“The suffering in Gaza is immense. No one should be wounded or killed while trying to receive food or medical care.” Deirdre Garvey, Secretary General of the Irish Red Cross.
The suffering in Gaza is immense. No one should be wounded or killed while trying to receive food or medical care.
Our Call to Action
We urgently and unequivocally call for:
- An immediate ceasefire and respect for international humanitarian law
- Safe, unhindered humanitarian access at all times
- Civilians and aid workers never to be targeted
- Urgent action to open all crossing points and passages
- Allow sustainable entry of medical supplies and fuel
- 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
How the Irish Red Cross is Responding
The Irish Red Cross is part of the world’s largest humanitarian network, the global Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. With the generous support of the Irish public, we are providing direct support to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS).
Together, we are:
- Supporting the PRCS to deliver emergency medical care, ambulance services, and community health clinics under extraordinary pressure.
- Have helped to serve over 3,000 hot meals daily, despite life-threatening conditions and extreme shortages. Today (16 June), PCRS have confirmed that supplies are now depleted.
- Providing health services to more than 900,000 people since the escalation began.
- Have delivered clean water, food, and essential supplies to millions of displaced people.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Red Cross partners are operating a Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah, established in May 2024, where up to 300 patients are treated daily. Today (16 June) they are operating at 172% of bed capacity.
Our support in Ireland
Here in Ireland, we are supporting the families of seriously ill children from Gaza, brought here for urgent medical treatment. In partnership with the Department of Health and the HSE, we are helping these children access the care, safety, and dignity they deserve. The Irish Red Cross is supporting with their accommodation and has recruited Arabic-speaking caseworkers to support the families to rebuild their lives.
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