Impossible to Implement: Red Cross's Assessment on Israel's Planned Forced Displacement of Gaza City Inhabitants
Gaza City, a once bustling metropolis, has been declared a "dangerous combat zone" by the military, with daily pauses in fighting suspended to allow the delivery of aid. This comes as Israel prepares for a decisive battle against Hamas to recover hostages, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordering the city's capture.
The war in Gaza began in October 2023 with an attack by Hamas and other militant groups on southern Israel. Since then, the city has been plagued by relentless fighting, leaving 63,371 people dead and 159,835 injured. In the past 24 hours alone, 79 people were killed in Israeli attacks, most of them in Gaza city.
The United Nations has declared a famine in Gaza city, with 332 people having died from hunger since the war began. This includes 124 children, a tragic testament to the dire conditions faced by the city's residents. The Israeli military reports that 48 hostages are still in captivity, of whom only 20 are alive.
The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) warns that any forced evacuation of Gaza city's one million residents would be impossible to carry out in a safe and dignified manner. ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric notes that many civilians are unable to comply due to starvation, illness, injury, or physical disabilities, and that such an evacuation would trigger a massive population movement that the Gaza Strip's infrastructure cannot absorb, given the widespread destruction and extreme shortages.
Under international humanitarian law, Israel is obligated to ensure civilians have satisfactory conditions of shelter, hygiene, health, safety, and nutrition, and families are not separated after ordering them to move. However, Israel has restricted aid deliveries throughout the war, including a nearly two-month total blockade imposed in early March.
The Israeli military accuses Hamas of stealing supplies, but does not provide proof. This accusation, however, does little to alleviate the suffering of the city's residents, many of whom are already traumatized by months of fighting and terrified by what could come next.
As the Israeli military intensifies attacks across Gaza city in preparation for ground forces to enter, questions about the future of the city and its people remain unanswered. The world watches on, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes the safety and well-being of the civilians caught in the crossfire.
