Archiv: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies / Movement / Rotes Kreuz / Roter Halbmond


29.10.2025 - 23:03 [ International Court of Justice ]

OBLIGATIONS OF ISRAEL IN RELATION TO THE PRESENCE AND ACTIVITIES OF THE UNITED NATIONS, OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THIRD STATES IN AND IN RELATION TO THEOCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

(October 22, 2025)

223. For these reasons,

THE COURT ,

(1) Unanimously,
Finds that it has jurisdiction to give the advisory opinion requested;

(2) Unanimously,
Decides to comply with the request for an advisory opinion;

(3) Is of the opinion that the State of Israel, as an occupying Power, is required to fulfil its obligations under international humanitarian law. These obligations include the following:

(a) Unanimously,
to ensure that the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory has the essential supplies of daily life, including food, water, clothing, bedding, shelter, fuel, medical supplies and services;

(b) By ten votes to one,
to agree to and facilitate by all means at its disposal relief schemes on behalf of the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory so long as that population is inadequately supplied, as has been the case in the Gaza Strip, including relief provided by the United Nations and its entities, in particular the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, other international organizations and third States, and not to impede such relief;
IN FAVOUR: President Iwasawa; Judges Tomka, Abraham, Xue, Nolte, Charlesworth, Brant,
Gómez Robledo, Cleveland, Tladi;
AGAINST: Vice-President Sebutinde;

(c) Unanimously,
to respect and protect all relief and medical personnel and facilities;

(d) Unanimously,
to respect the prohibition on forcible transfer and deportation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory;

(e) Unanimously,
to respect the right of protected persons from the Occupied Palestinian Territory who are detained by the State of Israel to be visited by the International Committee of the Red Cross; and

(f) Unanimously,
to respect the prohibition on the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare;

29.10.2025 - 22:57 [ Middle East Eye ]

Israel bans Red Cross from visiting Palestinians held without trial

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has officially barred the International Committee of the Red Cross from visiting Palestinians held under Israel’s so-called “unlawful combatants” law, a legal category that does not exist under international law and allows indefinite detention without charge, trial or oversight.

Katz claimed in a decree that allowing ICRC access would “seriously harm national security”, effectively ensuring that Palestinian detainees held under this exceptional measure remain entirely hidden from international monitoring.

22.10.2025 - 21:09 [ International Court of Justice ]

OBLIGATIONS OF ISRAEL IN RELATION TO THE PRESENCE AND ACTIVITIES OF THE UNITED NATIONS, OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THIRD STATES IN AND IN RELATION TO THEOCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

223. For these reasons,

THE COURT ,

(1) Unanimously,
Finds that it has jurisdiction to give the advisory opinion requested;

(2) Unanimously,
Decides to comply with the request for an advisory opinion;

(3) Is of the opinion that the State of Israel, as an occupying Power, is required to fulfil its obligations under international humanitarian law. These obligations include the following:

(a) Unanimously,
to ensure that the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory has the essential supplies of daily life, including food, water, clothing, bedding, shelter, fuel, medical supplies and services;

(b) By ten votes to one,
to agree to and facilitate by all means at its disposal relief schemes on behalf of the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory so long as that population is inadequately supplied, as has been the case in the Gaza Strip, including relief provided by the United Nations and its entities, in particular the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, other international organizations and third States, and not to impede such relief;
IN FAVOUR: President Iwasawa; Judges Tomka, Abraham, Xue, Nolte, Charlesworth, Brant,
Gómez Robledo, Cleveland, Tladi;
AGAINST: Vice-President Sebutinde;

(c) Unanimously,
to respect and protect all relief and medical personnel and facilities;

(d) Unanimously,
to respect the prohibition on forcible transfer and deportation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory;

(e) Unanimously,
to respect the right of protected persons from the Occupied Palestinian Territory who are detained by the State of Israel to be visited by the International Committee of the Red Cross; and

(f) Unanimously,
to respect the prohibition on the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare;

(4) By ten votes to one,
Is of the opinion that, as an occupying Power, the State of Israel has an obligation under
international human rights law to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including through the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international organizations and third States, in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory;
IN FAVOUR: President Iwasawa; Judges Tomka, Abraham, Xue, Nolte, Charlesworth, Brant,
Gómez Robledo, Cleveland, Tladi;
AGAINST: Vice-President Sebutinde;

(5) By ten votes to one,
Is of the opinion that the State of Israel has an obligation to co-operate in good faith with the United Nations by providing every assistance in any action it takes in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory;
IN FAVOUR: President Iwasawa; Judges Tomka, Abraham, Xue, Nolte, Charlesworth, Brant,
Gómez Robledo, Cleveland, Tladi;
AGAINST: Vice-President Sebutinde;

(6) By ten votes to one,
Is of the opinion that the State of Israel has an obligation under Article 105 of the Charter of the United Nations to ensure full respect for the privileges and immunities accorded to the United Nations, including its agencies and bodies, and its officials, in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory;

IN FAVOUR: President Iwasawa; Judges Tomka, Abraham, Xue, Nolte, Charlesworth, Brant,
Gómez Robledo, Cleveland, Tladi;
AGAINST: Vice-President Sebutinde;

(7) By ten votes to one,
Is of the opinion that the State of Israel has an obligation under Article II of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations to ensure full respect for the inviolability of the premises of the United Nations, including those of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and for the immunity of the property and assets of the Organization from any form of interference;
IN FAVOUR: President Iwasawa; Judges Tomka, Abraham, Xue, Nolte, Charlesworth, Brant,
Gómez Robledo, Cleveland, Tladi;
AGAINST: Vice-President Sebutinde;

(8) By ten votes to one,
Is of the opinion that the State of Israel has an obligation under Articles V, VI and VII of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations to ensure full respect for the privileges and immunities accorded to the officials and experts on mission of the United Nations, in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
IN FAVOUR: President Iwasawa; Judges Tomka, Abraham, Xue, Nolte, Charlesworth, Brant,
Gómez Robledo, Cleveland, Tladi;
AGAINST: Vice-President Sebutinde.

22.10.2025 - 21:08 [ United Nations ]

Israel is obliged to let aid flow into Occupied Palestinian Territory, says World Court

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) says that Israel must uphold its responsibilities as the “occupying power” by ensuring aid can flow freely and by respecting the rights of the UN and other humanitarian agencies working in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

15.10.2025 - 04:44 [ Reuters ]

Returning hostage bodies from Gaza may take time, Red Cross says

„The search for human remains is obviously an even bigger challenge than having the people alive being released. That‘s a massive challenge,“ ICRC spokesperson Christian Cardon said at a Geneva press briefing, adding it could take days or weeks.

„I think there is clearly a risk that that will take much more time. What we are telling the parties is that that should be their top priority,“ he said on Tuesday.
The Geneva-based ICRC said it is providing an additional 23 staff, body bags and refrigerated vehicles to ensure the deceased are handled with respect and dignity within Gaza, which was reduced to widespread ruins by the war.

13.10.2025 - 10:45 [ Middle East Eye ]

Red Cross receives second batch of 13 Israeli captives, local media reports

Israel‘s Channel 12 on Monday reported that 13 Israeli prisoners were released in the second batch and handed over to the International Red Cross in Gaza.

13.10.2025 - 07:43 [ Al Jazeera ]

Hamas releases seven captives to Red Cross in Gaza: Reports

The Reuters news agency says Hamas has handed over seven Israeli captives to the ICRC.

It cited an official involved in the operation.

Israel’s YNet and Hayom newspapers have also reported on the move.

13.10.2025 - 07:16 [ CNN ]

Hostage release process has begun, Red Cross says

“The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has started a multi-phase operation to facilitate the release and transfer of hostages and detainees as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas,” it said.

26.07.2025 - 00:38 [ International Committee of the Red Cross ]

Israel and the occupied territories: ICRC president calls for urgent collective action by states to end abhorrent suffering in Gaza

New York (ICRC)—There is no excuse for what is happening in Gaza. The scale of human suffering and the stripping of human dignity have long exceeded every acceptable standard – both legal and moral.

Every minute without a ceasefire risks civilian lives. The level of suffering inflicted on civilians because of warfare conducted indiscriminately and the extreme deprivation of the essentials for survival is abhorrent.

People are being relentlessly killed in hostilities and while attempting to get food. Children are dying because they do not have enough to eat. Families are being forced to flee again and again in search of safety that does not exist. The ICRC has more than 350 staff on the ground in Gaza, many of whom are also struggling to find enough food and clean water.

This tragedy must end now – immediately and decisively.

12.05.2025 - 18:12 [ Times of Israel ]

IDF: Red Cross confirms it has Edan Alexander, bringing him to Israeli troops now

The Red Cross is now bringing Alexander to IDF special forces inside Gaza to then be escorted out of the Strip, the military adds.

Alexander was released by Hamas without a public ceremony.

20.04.2025 - 21:22 [ New York Times ]

Autopsies of Gaza Medics Killed by Israeli Troops Show Some Were Shot in the Head

(April 15, 2025)

The New York Times obtained autopsy reports for 14 of the 15 people killed in a March 23 attack on an ambulance and fire truck.

20.04.2025 - 21:13 [ BBC ]

‚Operational misunderstanding‘ led to killing of Gaza medics, IDF inquiry says

Fourteen emergency workers and a UN worker were killed on 23 March after a convoy of Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulances, a UN car and a fire truck came under fire by the Israeli military.

In a statement, the IDF said its troops opened fire believing they were facing a threat from enemy forces.

The IDF said its investigation found six of the casualties were Hamas members, and rejected that there had been summary executions.
(…)
It blamed „poor night visibility“, which the IDF said meant the commander did not identify the vehicles as ambulances.

07.04.2025 - 22:20 [ Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ]

PRCS Calls for Independent International Investigation to Hold Those Responsible for the Crime of Targeting Ambulance Teams in Rafah Accountable

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) affirms that the targeting of its ambulance convoy by Israeli forces in the Al-Hashasheen area of Rafah on March 23 constitutes a full-fledged war crime, and it reflects a dangerous pattern of repeated violation of international humanitarian law. This massacre claimed the lives of eight members of the PRCS emergency medical teams: Mustafa Khafaja, Ezz Al-DeenShath, Saleh Muammar, Rifaat Radwan, Mohammad Bahloul, Ashraf Abu Labda, Mohammad Al-Heela, and Raed Al-Sharif. The fate of medic Asaad Al-Nassasrah remains unknown to this day. We therefore call on the occupying authorities to immediately disclose his whereabouts. Video footage, documented by our late colleague and medic Rifaat Radwan, shows the final moments of the team as they drove clearly marked ambulances with flashing emergency lights toward the site where the first ambulance had been targeted. Despite the clear identification of the vehicles and teams, the convoy came under heavy gunfire for approximately five minutes, as shown in the published footage. Furthermore, communication between the team and the Central Dispatch Center confirms that the gunfire continued for no less than two hours, with continuous shooting heard until contact was completely lost with one of the medics. PRCS affirms that this was neither a random incident nor an individual error, but rather a series of deliberate attacks. The first was the shooting of an ambulance en route to evacuate casualties after a home was bombed in the Al-Hashasheen area.

05.04.2025 - 17:33 [ United Nations / Youtube ]

Palestinian Red Crescent Society on the recent deaths of members – Press Conference | United Nations

The President of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS), Dr. Younis Al-Khatib told reporters in New York that he had presented audiovisual evidence and had urged the Security Council “to support the call for an independent and thorough investigation” following the discovery of the bodies of eight missing medics from the PRCS in a mass grave in Gaza.

According to the he International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) an emergency medical team of nine disappeared along with their ambulances after they came under heavy fire in Al-Hashashin on 23 March. After seven days, the bodies of ambulance officers Mostafa Khufaga, Saleh Muamer and Ezzedine Shaath and first responder volunteers Mohammad Bahloul, Mohammed Al-Heila, Ashraf Abu Labda, Raed Al Sharif and Rifatt Radwan were retrieved. Ambulance officer Assad Al-Nassasra is still missing.

05.04.2025 - 16:29 [ United Nations ]

Gaza: Paramedic still missing after aid worker killings, Palestinian Red Crescent Society calls for answers

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) on Friday called for urgent answers over the whereabouts of a missing paramedic, coupled with a full independent investigation into the killing of 15 humanitarian workers in Gaza on 23 March.

02.04.2025 - 12:10 [ Middle East Eye ]

Red Crescent massacre: Palestinians are betrayed in a world ruled by outlaws

The cold-blooded killing of 15 Red Crescent and civil defence first responders has elicited no condemnation from major powers. This is the age of lawlessness

(…)

Israeli anti-Zionist commentator Alon Mizrahi posted on X this week:

„As Israel and the US announce and begin to enact plans to ethnically cleanse Gaza of Palestinians, let‘s remember that the International Court of Justice has not even convened to discuss the genocide since 24 May 2024, when it was using very blurry language about the planned Rafah action….

31.03.2025 - 16:00 [ International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies ]

IFRC condemns the killing of eight Palestine Red Crescent medics in Gaza

Geneva, 30 March 2025: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is outraged at the deaths of eight medics from Palestine Red Crescent Society, killed on duty in Gaza.

An emergency medical team of nine disappeared along with their ambulances when they came under heavy fire in Al-Hashashin on 23 March. After seven days of silence and having access denied to the area of Rafah where they were last seen, the bodies of ambulance officers Mostafa Khufaga, Saleh Muamer and Ezzedine Shaath and first responder volunteers Mohammad Bahloul, Mohammed Al-Heila, Ashraf Abu Labda, Raed Al Sharif and Rifatt Radwan were retrieved today (30 March). Ambulance officer Assad Al-Nassasra is still missing.

31.03.2025 - 15:46 [ CBS News ]

Bodies of 8 Red Crescent medics found a week after Israeli soldiers fired at ambulances

At least 14 bodies have been recovered in southern Gaza, including the bodies of eight medics, a week after Israeli soldiers fired at ambulances.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said the bodies were retrieved after „seven days of silence“ and of having access denied to the area of Rafah where they were last seen. The medics were found along with those of six members of Gaza‘s civil defense agency and one U.N. agency employee, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said in a statement posted to X on Sunday.

19.01.2025 - 18:39 [ Al Jazeera ]

Red Cross at Ofer prison verifying identity of Palestinian prisoners

(30 min ago)

We’re receiving reports that the Red Cross delegation that entered Ofer Prison is verifying the identity of Palestinian prisoners set to be released as part of the ceasefire agreement.

19.01.2025 - 14:28 [ Times of Israel ]

Prison service: Preparations underway for release of Palestinian prisoners in hostage-ceasefire deal

The prisoners will be transported by the prison service’s Nahshon unit to Ofer Prison, located in the West Bank, where they will be identified by Red Cross representatives. The prisoners will wait at Ofer Prison until the release of the three Israeli hostages is confirmed by the IDF.

27.11.2024 - 20:04 [ International Committee of the Red Cross ]

Israel-Lebanon: Ceasefire an encouraging step for region exhausted by conflict

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is encouraged that a ceasefire has been agreed that would end the fighting and help bring some hope and stability to a region exhausted by conflict.

The ceasefire must be upheld and enforced across all levels of command to ensure much-needed respite for civilians on both sides of the border. It must also facilitate the rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid for civilians wherever they are.

24.03.2024 - 19:18 [ PRCS (Palestine Red Crescent) / Twitter ]

Urgent: Israeli Occupation vehicles are besieging both Al-Amal Hospital and Al-Naser Hospital amidst very intense shelling and heavy gunfire. Occupation vehicles are currently surrounding Al-Amal Hospital and conducting extensive excavation work around the hospital. All of our teams are in extreme danger at the moment and are completely immobilized. Additionally, they are unable to bury the body of our colleague Amir Abu Aisha within the hospital’s backyard.

24.03.2024 - 19:15 [ Middle East Eye ]

Israeli forces demand Palestinians leave Khan Younis hospital ‘naked’ says medical charity

The charity said that Israeli forces had made these demands on Saturday via a drone speaker as it launched smoke bombs to encourage staff to leave the facility.

It added that one of the injured Palestinians left in al-Amal hospital was also shot dead by Israeli forces.

10.03.2024 - 18:45 [ International Committee of Red Cross ]

A statement on Gaza and Israel from the president of the ICRC

Five months into the escalation of hostilities, which began with the horrific events in Israel on 7 October, the situation in the Gaza Strip degenerates by the hour. There is nowhere safe for people to go. The civilian death toll and the ongoing captivity of hostages are shocking and unacceptable.

This brutal war has ruptured any sense of a shared humanity.

10.03.2024 - 18:40 [ NewArab.com ]

Gaza war has ‚ruptured any sense of a shared humanity‘ amid Israeli atrocities: ICRC

„As an occupying power, Israel must provide for the basic needs of the population or facilitate the safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian relief,“ Spoljaric said.

The war had „ruptured any sense of a shared humanity“, she said.

„The situation in the Gaza Strip degenerates by the hour. There is nowhere safe for people to go. The civilian death toll and the ongoing captivity of hostages are shocking and unacceptable,“ Spoljaric said.

28.02.2024 - 23:21 [ Palestine Red Crescent / Twitter ]

The Israeli occupation continues to detain seven members of the Palestine Red Crescent teams for the twentieth consecutive day, including ambulance crews, anesthesia technicians, and a doctor. They were arrested during the Israeli occupation’s raid on Al-Amal Hospital, and their fate remains unknown at the moment. PRCS expresses its utmost concern for the safety of the detained teams and demands their immediate release.

02.01.2024 - 21:29 [ Middle East Eye ]

War on Gaza: Israel bombs Palestine Red Crescent building, as genocide probe looms

(2 January 2024 17:19 GMT)

Israeli forces killed 207 Palestinians and wounded 338 people over 24 hours in Gaza, the Palestinian health ministry said.

That brought the total number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since 7 October to 22,185, and the wounded to at least 57,00o.

20.12.2023 - 00:05 [ Middle East Eye ]

Red Cross chief accuses international community of ‘moral failure’

Mirjana Spoljaric, the Red Cross president, has accused the international community of moral failure over the humanitarian crisis and ongoing bombardment of Gaza.

“I have been speaking of moral failure because every day this continues is a day more where the international community hasn‘t proven capable of ending such high levels of suffering, and this will have an impact on generations, not only in Gaza,” she said.

12.12.2023 - 16:42 [ World Health Organization ]

WHO calls for protection of humanitarian space in Gaza following serious incidents in high-risk mission to transfer patients, deliver health supplies

On 9 December 2023, a WHO team, in collaboration with the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and with support from the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), completed a high-risk mission to Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City to deliver medical supplies, assess the situation in the hospital, and transfer critically-injured patients to a hospital in the south. The mission delivered trauma and surgical supplies, enough to treat 1500 patients, to the hospital, and transferred 19 critical patients with 14 companions to Nasser Medical Complex in south Gaza, where they can receive a higher level of care.

On the way north, the UN convoy was inspected at the Wadi Gaza checkpoint, and ambulance crew members had to leave the vehicles for identification. Two PRCS staff were detained for over an hour, further delaying the mission. WHO staff saw one of them being made to kneel at gunpoint and then taken out of sight, where he was reportedly harassed, beaten, stripped and searched.

26.11.2023 - 11:05 [ United Nations ]

UN confirms more aid entering Gaza as humanitarian pause holds for second day

(November 25, 2023)

The freight included food, water and emergency medical supplies. Eleven ambulances, 3 coaches and a flatbed were delivered to Al Shifa hospital to be used to assist with evacuations.

Also on Saturday, another 200 trucks were dispatched from Nitzana, with 187 of them successfully entering Gaza by 19:00 local time.

In addition, 129,000 liters of fuel crossed into Gaza, said the UN humanitarian affairs office, known as OCHA.

01.04.2022 - 21:03 [ Reuters ]

Red Cross convoy to Mariupol turns back, to renew attempts Saturday -ICRC

The Red Cross team of three cars carrying nine staff members had aimed to lead a convoy of about 54 Ukrainian buses and a number of private vehicles out of the city, where up to 170,000 people are without power and have limited food, according to the mayor.

10.03.2022 - 11:15 [ UN.org ]

Ukraine war now ‘apocalyptic’ humanitarians warn, in call for safe access

(08.02.2022)

“This situation is really apocalyptic for people, it is getting worse, they are running out of essential supplies,” said Ewan Watson, spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). “And so, our call today is really for lifesaving aid to reach these people.”

He added: “We‘ve depleted our stocks, as I said; it stands to reason that people are coming to the end of whatever supplies they had. So, when you ask if this is a matter of life or death, or if it is lifesaving? Yes. For us, it is essential that humanitarian aid gets into a city like Mariupol, and to other cities that are in the midst of conflict in Ukraine today.”

24.02.2019 - 08:23 [ teleSUR ]

Colombian Red Cross Condemns Unauthorized Use of Its Symbol

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has stated on its certified Twitter account that they have noticed „some people not affiliated with Red Cross Colombia and Red Cross Venezuela wearing Red Cross emblems at Colombia-Venezuela and Brazil-Venezuela border.“

The international organization has urged these people “ to stop doing this. They might mean well but they risk jeopardizing our neutrality, impartiality & independence.“