The Palestine Red Crescent in Gaza is operating in an increasingly dire humanitarian emergency, according to Tommaso Della Longa, a spokesman for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The organization manages emergency medical services, ambulances, hospitals, and psychosocial centers for children, and provides first aid to the war-stricken region.
However, the situation is described as “catastrophic” as essential resources like food, water, medical supplies, and fuel for generators are running out.
In an interview with Vatican News, Della Longa said fuel is significant in Gaza, as it is essential for electricity, without which hospitals are unable to function and water cannot be desalinated.
A significant number of humanitarian aid are stranded at the Egypt-Gaza border. About 110 trucks have entered Gaza through Rafah since a recent deal, but it is far from meeting the enormous needs of the Gaza Strip.
“It’s symbolic. It’s very important that the border be opened, but then on the other side we will need to give a different humanitarian answer to the enormous needs of the Gaza Strip,” said Della Longa.
The Israeli Defense Ministry announced plans for 80 trucks of humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip on October 31, marking the largest transfer of aid since the start of the war.
These trucks are loaded with medical supplies, food, and water, and are expected to enter through the Rafah crossing, according to Israel.
The Red Crescent is calling for a safe humanitarian space where it can operate and civilians can seek help, as it stresses that “there is no safe place in Gaza”.
Della Longa urged the international community to make diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation, emphasizing that the current crisis has evolved beyond basic needs for food, water, and health.
He underscored the importance of Pope Francis’ appeal for a ceasefire, which was made during his Angelus on October 29, and called for diplomatic efforts to seek a solution.
The Pope also asked for the allowance of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the release of hostages.
