The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Sunday that there is an “intolerable toll of pain” nearly a year into the war triggered by Hamas’s brutal October 7 attacks on Israel, followed by Israel’s bombardments of Gaza.

“People in the region continue to endure an unbearable toll of pain, suffering, and loss that transcends borders… Human suffering has no borders,” the international aid agency said in Geneva.

“This is a year marked by heartbreak and unanswered questions. Families have been torn apart, with many loved ones still held against their will. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions have been displaced across the region,” it stated.

The ICRC once again called on all parties involved to adhere to international humanitarian law. The dignity of people must be respected.

Under the Geneva Conventions, the agency is responsible for preventing and alleviating suffering during armed conflicts, with the protection of civilians as its priority.

It is supposed to have access to prisoners in any conflict, though this is not currently the case in the Middle East. Remaining strictly neutral, it refrains from naming specific parties that violate international law.

People inspect wreckage of a building that was flattened by Israeli air raids in Beirut southern suburb. Stringer/dpaPeople inspect wreckage of a building that was flattened by Israeli air raids in Beirut southern suburb. Stringer/dpa

People inspect wreckage of a building that was flattened by Israeli air raids in Beirut southern suburb. Stringer/dpa

A man walks past buildings that were target of Israeli air raids at old Beirut airport road on the edge of Beirut southern suburb. Stringer/dpaA man walks past buildings that were target of Israeli air raids at old Beirut airport road on the edge of Beirut southern suburb. Stringer/dpa

A man walks past buildings that were target of Israeli air raids at old Beirut airport road on the edge of Beirut southern suburb. Stringer/dpa

Palestinians carry the bodies of victims of an Israeli strike that targeted a mosque-turned-shelter in Deir al-Balah. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpaPalestinians carry the bodies of victims of an Israeli strike that targeted a mosque-turned-shelter in Deir al-Balah. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Palestinians carry the bodies of victims of an Israeli strike that targeted a mosque-turned-shelter in Deir al-Balah. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Palestinians carry the bodies of victims of an Israeli strike that targeted a mosque-turned-shelter in Deir al-Balah. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpaPalestinians carry the bodies of victims of an Israeli strike that targeted a mosque-turned-shelter in Deir al-Balah. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Palestinians carry the bodies of victims of an Israeli strike that targeted a mosque-turned-shelter in Deir al-Balah. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa



Source link