Red Cross President: The mass evacuation of Gaza City is not feasible or sustainable

SadaNews - The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric, stated on Saturday that it is impossible to evacuate Gaza City in a safe and dignified manner under the current circumstances.

Spoljaric added in a message published by the International Committee: This evacuation would lead to a mass displacement of populations that no area in the Gaza Strip can bear, given the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and the acute shortage of food, water, shelter, and medical care.

She continued: This will be imposed on civilians who are already suffering from psychological trauma due to months of fighting, and who live in fear of what may happen next. Many of them are unable to comply with evacuation orders because they are starving, sick, wounded, or suffering from physical disabilities. All civilians are protected under international humanitarian law, whether they leave the city or remain in it, and they must be allowed to return home.

She continued: International humanitarian law stipulates that when evacuation orders are issued, Israel must do everything possible to ensure that civilians enjoy satisfactory conditions in terms of shelter, sanitation, healthcare, safety, and nutrition, and that families are not separated. These conditions cannot currently be met in Gaza. This renders any evacuation unfeasible, and indeed unsustainable under the current circumstances.

She added: Every minute that passes without reaching a ceasefire agreement leads to loss of life. Humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow on a scale that meets the needs. Hamas must release all remaining hostages. Any further escalation of the conflict will only result in more death, destruction, and displacement.