The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned Saturday that Israel’s push to evacuate Gaza City is not only unfeasible under current conditions—it would result in a humanitarian collapse across the entire Gaza Strip. In a public statement, the ICRC declared:
The organization emphasized that any mass displacement would overwhelm already devastated areas of Gaza, where infrastructure has been obliterated and essential resources—food, water, shelter, and medical care—are critically lacking. The ICRC added:
This warning comes amid reports that Israeli authorities are preparing for a full-scale reoccupation of Gaza City, issuing evacuation orders to civilians despite the absence of safe corridors or viable destinations. The Red Cross stressed that Palestinians in Gaza are physically and psychologically unable to comply with these orders. Many are wounded, sick, disabled, or suffering from extreme hunger.
The organization further highlighted the trauma endured by civilians after months of warfare, describing the population as living in “a state of terror” over what may come next.
The ICRC reiterated that all civilians, whether they evacuate or remain, are protected under international humanitarian law and must be guaranteed the right to return to their homes.
The United Nations has warned of famine conditions, and humanitarian agencies have repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted access to aid.
The ICRC’s intervention underscores the legal and moral urgency of halting forced displacement and protecting civilians under siege. It calls for immediate compliance with international law, including the prohibition of collective punishment and the safeguarding of civilian infrastructure.
Israel’s ongoing genocide of the Palestinian in the devastated Gaza Strip has led to more than 63,000 deaths since October 7, 2023. The number of wounded has surpassed 159,266. Thousands remain missing, many buried under rubble or unaccounted for due to mass displacement and the collapse of civil infrastructure.
