Gaza Herald – The Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Nicolas von Arx, has said that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip remains “unsustainable and unacceptable,” stressing that civilian suffering has not ended despite months of ongoing genocide.
Von Arx made the remarks at the conclusion of a three-day field visit to the Gaza Strip, during which he met with local authorities, representatives of local communities, and partners of the ICRC, including the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.
Speaking from Gaza City, von Arx described the scale of devastation as overwhelming, highlighting extreme overcrowding and severe humanitarian hardship.
He said that the first thing that strikes any visitor entering Gaza is the extent of destruction, alongside the dense concentration of displaced civilians now living in extremely limited spaces.
The visit, conducted between June 23 and 25, included inspections of the ICRC field hospital in Rafah, ICRC teams in Deir al-Balah, as well as Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City and a water desalination project.
Von Arx emphasized that what he witnessed on the ground serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to respect international humanitarian law, stressing the importance of maintaining at least a minimum level of humanity during armed conflict.
He warned that the continued humanitarian collapse underscores the need for immediate protection of civilians and essential infrastructure across the territory.
