Devendra Kumar
The Gaza Strip is teetering on the brink of disaster, with the International Committee of the Red Cross warning that it may run out of fuel to operate generators, including those in hospitals, within a few hours. This dire situation is a direct result of Israel’s decision to impose a total siege on the territory after a surprise attack by Hamas militants. The available fuel is only a temporary solution and may not last more than a few hours, according to Fabrizio Carboni, the ICRC’s regional director. “Our understanding is that there is still fuel – but probably only for a few hours – to allow generators to work, including in hospitals,” he said.
The situation on the ground is precarious, with most of Gaza’s population having no access to power or water. The Israeli bombing campaign has left the territory in chaos, and the ICRC has stocks of aid and medicine stored in Gaza but is unable to move them to those in need due to the lack of safe passage. The Red Cross has been working to establish a channel of communication with both Hamas and Israeli officials to secure the release of hostages and facilitate the distribution of aid to those in need.
Talks are underway with all parties, including Egypt, to open a humanitarian corridor, with the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt’s Sinai peninsula being considered as the main option. However, progress is slow, and the ICRC is preparing for the worst-case scenario. “We are preparing, yes, for the worst. Now the worst in the region has no limits, so it’s difficult,” Carboni said.
The attacks have resulted in over 1,300 fatalities, the deadliest on Jewish civilians since the Holocaust. The ICRC is working to negotiate the release of hostages and establish a safe passage for aid to reach those in need. The situation is deeply concerning, and the ICRC is urging all parties to take swift action to prevent further suffering. As the crisis unfolds, the ICRC is struggling to keep pace with the humanitarian needs of the population, with thousands of people in desperate need of assistance.
Despite the challenges, the ICRC is determined to provide aid to those in need, and is working tirelessly to secure safe passage for its teams to reach the affected areas. However, the situation remains precarious, and the ICRC is bracing for the worst. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is devastating, and it is essential that all parties take immediate action to prevent further suffering.