– What we need primarily is protection, as the IDF (The Israeli Army, journ.anm.) attacks civilian targets without warning, says Bashar Murad to NRK.
He is the head of the Palestinian Red Crescent. Since Hamas attacked Israeli territory on October 7, there has been war in the Gaza Strip.
Israel has imposed a blockade and is attacking from the air, following Hamas’ terrorist attack inside Israel. In this attack, more than 1,400 people were killed, according to Israeli authorities.
Over 7,000 people have lost their lives on both sides of the conflict. Almost 5,000 of them in Gaza, according to Hamas’ Ministry of Health.
Bashar Murad is the head of the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Photo: Bashar Murad
Red Crescent has lost paramedics and seven ambulances in Israeli attacks, according to the leader. Several other ambulances are said to have also been hit, but are still in operation.
World Health Organization (WHO) has documented over 136 attacks against the healthcare system in Palestinian territory. 59 of them in Gaza.
The UN aid organization for Palestinian refugees in the Middle East reported on Sunday that 29 of its employees, half of them teachers, have been killed in Israeli airstrikes.
– The IDF does not respect the Geneva Convention, says Murad.
Doctor Mohammed Al-Naklah has moved into the hospital in Gaza. Injured Palestinians come in all the time, many of them children. Mohammed has not met his family for several days, because his job is vital inside the hospital. NRK’s freelance team has been with the experienced doctor for a day, which shows a chaotic everyday life for the more than 2 million people trapped in Gaza.
When asked by NRK about Murad’s claims, the IDF wrote the following in a statement to NRK:
– In response to Hamas’s barbaric attacks, the IDF is working to forcefully destroy Hamas’s military and administrative capabilities, writes the IDF.
– In stark contrast to Hamas’ targeted attacks on Israeli men, women and children, the IDF follows international law and takes the necessary precautions to protect civilians, they write further.
– A drop in the ocean
Before the war, normally 100 trucks of emergency aid arrived per day to meet the needs of the residents of the Gaza Strip.
It was not until Saturday that a truck convoy was allowed in with emergency aid for the badly affected civilian population. On Saturday, 20 trucks were allowed in.
On Sunday, 17 trucks with emergency aid should have crossed the border. Among them were supposed to have been lorries with fuel, but there has been conflicting information as to whether they actually arrived. A further 14 trucks were allowed in on Sunday evening, according to the UN.
But it is nowhere near what is needed, according to Murad.
– It’s a drop in the ocean. It does not cover the needs that the people of Gaza need. The need is enormous here, says Murad to NRK.
Members of the Egyptian Red Crescent are coordinating emergency aid to the Gaza Strip.
Photo: AMR ABDALLAH DALSH / Reuters
Concerned about the water supply
According to Murad, Gaza has now received some medical material, drinking water, canned goods and dry food through the truck convoys.
According to Murad, the dry food cannot be used, because the lack of water and the lack of gas for cooking make it impossible to prepare.
– After Israel cut the electricity, the water pumps have stopped. A person in Gaza has access to only three liters of water. It is not enough for personal hygiene. For an adult, it is not enough to drink, says Murad.
He is also afraid that the water quality of the water the civilian population has access to is so bad that it could make people sick.
According to Murad, the hospitals lack bandages, fluid for use in operations, and other necessary equipment to treat the injured.
– The injured are not being treated correctly right now.
Several hospitals are in the process of collapsing, writes, among other things AP. The Al Quds hospital in northern Gaza is according to BBC ordered evacuated. The Al Ahli Arab hospital was also attacked earlier this week. No one has claimed responsibility for the explosion.
Several aid organizations have also warned against a humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip.
2023-10-22 20:57:41
#Red #Crescent #attacks #Gaza #Strip #Israel #respect #Geneva #Convention
