Red Cross ‘deeply troubled’ after humanitarian convoy came under fire in Gaza City

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expressed their deep concern about its humanitarian convoy coming under fire in Gaza City amid the ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas. 

In a news release Tuesday, the humanitarian organization said the convoy of five trucks and two other ICRC vehicles was carrying lifesaving medical supplies when it was hit by fire. The supplies were headed to health facilities including to the Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza.

The ICRC said two of its trucks were damaged and one driver suffered light injuries. 

“These are not the conditions under which humanitarian personnel can work,” William Schomburg, the head of the ICRC delegation in Gaza, said in a statement. “We are here to bring urgent assistance to civilians in need. Ensuring that vital assistance can reach medical facilities is a legal obligation under international humanitarian law.”

The humanitarian organization also said the incident resulted in them altering its route, with the convoy ultimately delivering medical supplies to the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza.

“Afterward, the ICRC convoy accompanied six ambulances with critically wounded patients to the Rafah crossing,” the ICRC said in its news release. 

The ICRC’s announcement comes as Israel is facing mounting pressure from its Western allies over the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. 

“We stress the need for urgent action to address the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” the Group of Seven nations said in a joint statement Wednesday, calling for a humanitarian cease-fire in the region. 

“All parties must allow unimpeded humanitarian support for civilians, including food, water, medical care, fuel, and shelter, and access for humanitarian workers. We support humanitarian pauses and corridors to facilitate urgently needed assistance, civilian movement, and the release of hostages.”

Yesterday marked a month since Hamas militants conducted a surprise attack against Israel on Oct. 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,400 people and the taking of around 240 hostages, only five of which have been freed.

In response, Israel has launched a series of airstrikes, killing more than 10,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Gaza launched a ground invasion in recent days, with troops and armor encircling Gaza City, further raising fears for remaining civilians.