ICRC: Gaza's healthcare system is collapsing under weight of continued violence, restrictions

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued a stark warning Wednesday over the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza, as the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) operations expanded in Gaza City and Jabaliya amid growing international pressure for a ceasefire.

In a statement from its Geneva headquarters, the ICRC said it was "deeply alarmed by the intensifying hostilities in Gaza City and Jabaliya, which have reportedly caused dozens of deaths and injuries among civilians over the past 36 hours."

The renewed offensive follows calls from global leaders, including US President Donald Trump, for an immediate halt to the aggression and a new agreement to secure the release of captives still held by Palestinian factions in Gaza. Despite those appeals, the IOF has pushed forward with its campaign to dismantle Hamas.

On Tuesday, Gaza’s civil defense authorities reported that at least 20 people had been killed in 'Israeli' strikes, adding to an already mounting civilian toll.

The Red Cross expressed grave concern for Gaza’s health infrastructure, which it said is collapsing under the weight of continued violence and long-standing restrictions on medical supplies.

"The intensification of hostilities comes as Gaza's already-decimated healthcare system struggles to absorb a relentless surge in critical cases," the ICRC noted.

According to the organization, nearly all public hospitals have been either shuttered or severely damaged, while access to essential medicines, fuel, and equipment has been drastically limited.

Even the few facilities that remain open, such as the ICRC’s own field hospital, are reportedly "overwhelmed and running dangerously low on essential supplies, including fuel, and even body bags."

"This severely compromises their ability to treat the wounded or ensure dignified management of the dead," the statement added.

In addition to the medical crisis, the ICRC flagged serious concerns about ongoing evacuation orders that have forced displaced residents into increasingly crowded areas with limited access to food, shelter, and basic hygiene. These mass movements are also impeding emergency teams from reaching victims trapped in affected zones.

"The ICRC urgently reiterates its call for the protection of medical personnel and medical facilities in Gaza," the organization said.

The Red Cross also stressed that civilians forced to flee must be guaranteed adequate living conditions, including access to sanitation, healthcare, and food.

"Many people in Gaza right now are injured, sick, or have disabilities. They are often unable to comply with evacuation orders. Constant care must be taken to spare them," the statement concluded.