The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported late Friday night that heavy projectiles struck near its office in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of 22 people and injuring 45 others. The office, surrounded by hundreds of displaced civilians, sustained damage in the attack.
According to a statement on the ICRC’s X platform, the incident caused a large influx of casualties to the nearby Red Cross field hospital, which admitted 22 deceased and 45 wounded individuals.
The ICRC highlighted that the strike inflicted material damage on its office, which is encircled by tents sheltering numerous displaced civilians, including many Palestinian colleagues and their families.
The organization issued a stern warning that “firing near known humanitarian sites marked with the Red Cross emblem endangers the lives of civilians and Red Cross personnel.”
The ICRC also noted that this serious security incident follows a series of recent events, including stray bullets striking its facilities.
The ICRC strongly condemned these incidents, asserting that they jeopardize the safety of humanitarian workers and civilians.
Under international humanitarian law, conflict parties must take all feasible measures to avoid harming civilians and damaging civilian objects, including humanitarian facilities.