Geneva: President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mirjana Spoljaric has called for leveraging the momentum from the initial phase of the Israeli occupation-Hamas agreement to enhance the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Spoljaric emphasized the need for the international community to capitalize on every opportunity to ease the suffering in Gaza. This involves lifting restrictions on dual-use materials and equipment, such as water pipes and generators, which are crucial for rebuilding essential infrastructure. She highlighted that over the past 15 weeks, the ICRC collaborated with Israeli occupation, Hamas, and mediators to facilitate the return of hostages and the deceased to their families, as stipulated in the first phase of the agreement.
Spoljaric noted that these efforts have allowed families to reunite with their loved ones and properly mourn their losses. She underscored the critical role of humanitarian actions in the journey towards peace, despite the challenges encountered.
She cautioned that many residents of Gaza remain in dire conditions, living amidst rubble without basic services and facing the harsh winter. Thousands of families are still awaiting news about their missing loved ones. The need for repairs to hospitals, homes, schools, and water systems is urgent, as is the clearance of unexploded ordnance.
Spoljaric asserted that all states and parties involved in the conflict bear the responsibility to uphold international humanitarian law. This, she said, is vital for saving lives, restoring human dignity, and fostering the foundations necessary for lasting peace.