Gaza: In Gaza, providing aid means risking one's life. Ambulances have been struck while responding to calls. Aid convoys have come under fire. Workers are killed both on the job and on their way home after long, exhausting shifts. As Israel's genocidal war enters its third year, the toll on humanitarian personnel has become devastating.
According to Anadolu Agency, UN data from mid-September reveals that at least 540 aid workers and 1,722 healthcare workers have lost their lives. International officials assert that these killings violate international law and may amount to war crimes. Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN human rights office in the occupied Palestinian territory, emphasized that aid workers must be guaranteed safety under humanitarian and human rights law. Despite clear protections under the Geneva Conventions, Gaza has witnessed massive casualties among humanitarian staff.
Sunghay noted that Israel is legally obliged to ensure food and medical supplies reach the population under its control. Yet, aid convoys are blocked, and hospitals remain in ruins. In August, UN experts accused Israel of committing 'medicide,' a systematic destruction of Gaza's health system, furthering the argument of intentional acts of genocide. UN special rapporteurs Tlaleng Mofokeng and Francesca Albanese accused Israel of deliberately attacking healthcare workers and facilities to dismantle medical care in Gaza.
Sunghay called for a full and impartial investigation into the attacks on aid workers, stressing that accountability has not been prioritized by the international community. Such attacks are grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions, obliging Israel to investigate and prosecute perpetrators. Sunghay urged other nations to support international justice efforts, including through the International Criminal Court.
Tommaso Della Longa, spokesperson for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, noted that the killings in Gaza reflect a broader global pattern of attacks on aid workers in regions like Sudan and Ethiopia. He highlighted a UN General Assembly declaration reaffirming the protection of humanitarian personnel and urged governments to transform commitments into action.
The IFRC spokesperson described the situation in Gaza as 'out of control,' with the health care system collapsing, water and food scarce, and more than half of the ambulances out of service. He recounted the dire conditions faced by medical staff, who are also going hungry amidst the conflict. Over the past two years, Israel has killed around 67,200 Palestinians in Gaza, with a significant number being women and children, according to Palestinian authorities.
Looking ahead, Sunghay emphasized that all parties to the conflict must respect their obligations under international law to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers. He stressed the importance of accountability to prevent further violations, urging for mechanisms to function without impunity. Della Longa echoed this sentiment, advocating for investment in training and protection measures to ensure humanitarian laws are respected globally.