Head of Red Cross warns mass evacuation of Gaza City impossible amidst Israeli assault

The head of the Red Cross said on Saturday that ensuring civilian safety during a mass evacuation of Gaza City would be difficult, as Israel stepped up its military operations.

Israel is advancing with its plan to take full control of the Gaza Strip, starting with Gaza City, with the declared objective of dismantling Hamas after nearly 23 months of conflict. The move comes amid rising international concern over the humanitarian crisis in the enclave, where shortages of food and medicine persist.

Red Cross President Mirjana Spoljaric warned that a mass evacuation from Gaza City could not be conducted safely or with dignity under current conditions. "It is impossible that a mass evacuation of Gaza City could ever be done in a way that is safe and dignified under the current conditions," she said.

She stressed that such an operation would trigger massive displacement, overwhelming other parts of Gaza that already face critical shortages of food, shelter, and medical supplies.

Despite these warnings, the Israeli military said it would continue supporting humanitarian efforts while maintaining its operations against Hamas. On Friday, the army called on civilians to evacuate southwards.

Spoljaric noted, however, that many residents are unable to comply with evacuation orders because of starvation, illness, or injury.

International humanitarian law obliges Israel to ensure civilians have access to food, shelter, and safety during evacuations.

Spoljaric underlined that these obligations are not being met in Gaza, making any evacuation both unfeasible and incomprehensible under the present circumstances.

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