War Continues in Gaza Strip... Decision to Close Red Crescent Headquarters

The headquarters of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (the Red Cross equivalent in the Islamic world), which has played a central role in coordinating medical services in the war-torn Gaza Strip, has been temporarily closed as fighting intensifies.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) stated on the 27th (local time) that "the Palestinian Red Crescent headquarters located at Al Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, has ceased operations." The IFRC explained, "Hostilities have continued for more than 40 days at Al Amal Hospital, where the Red Crescent headquarters was located. The hospital, which should have been a sanctuary, has become a battlefield, forcing patients, medical staff, and displaced persons to evacuate the facility."

The Palestinian Red Crescent headquarters had an office at Al Amal Hospital and coordinated emergency medical services, patient transport, and treatment within the Gaza Strip. However, since the 22nd of last month, Israeli military operations aimed at repelling the Palestinian armed faction Hamas have been ongoing inside and around this hospital. The Israeli military reports that Hamas forces have infiltrated major hospitals in the Gaza Strip and have been entering the hospital or attempting sniper attacks from outside on a frequent basis.

As the safety of the facility became precarious, Al Amal Hospital began transferring patients, and most of the hospital’s medical staff left. The Red Crescent headquarters also appears to have decided to close, judging that it can no longer function under these conditions.

The IFRC stated, "Al Amal Hospital, clearly marked with the Red Crescent emblem, is a protected facility under international humanitarian law," and urged "all parties to the conflict to comply with their obligations and protect civilians, healthcare workers, and medical facilities." It also added, "Since the outbreak of the war last October, 18 colleagues performing Red Crescent duties have died," emphasizing that "any attacks on medical personnel and emergency responders are unacceptable."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.