Israel and the occupied territories: Hostilities between Gaza and Israel must stop and much-needed humanitarian activities must start now

Geneva (ICRC) – The populations in Gaza and Israel are facing the most intense cycle of hostilities in years. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is urging the parties to end this escalation and to ensure better access to people affected in the Gaza Strip.

Ahead of the United Nations Security Council meeting on Sunday, the ICRC calls on the leaders concerned to exert maximum influence to stop the hostilities between Gaza and Israel.

"The intensity of the conflict is something we have not seen before, with non-stop airstrikes in densely populated Gaza and rockets reaching big cities in Israel. As a result, children are dying on both sides," said Robert Mardini, ICRC's director-general. "For people in Gaza, access to hospitals and other vital infrastructure has become very complicated because of the incessant airstrikes and major damage to roads and buildings."