Tehran – In a letter to the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Association (IRCS), Pirhosain Koliband, Miljana Sporsjalik, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), reaffirmed the organization’s unwavering commitment to supporting civilians in Gaza.
The statement was written in response to Kolivand’s letter, urging the ICRC to take prompt action to stop the humanitarian crisis escalated by Gaza’s starvation and to end the torture of civilians.
The letter reads as follows:
Thank you for the letters on July 22nd and 28th regarding the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. After 21 months of hostilities that began after the events of October 7, 2023, civilians continue to bear the brunt of violence in Gaza, just like they do in the West Bank. Since the onset of the crisis, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement have suffered the catastrophic losses of 31 Palestinian Red Crescent Association colleagues who died while bravely responding to humanitarian needs, and staff of the six International Committees (ICRC) of the Red Cross (ICRC).
This is a prominent reminder of the severity of the situation in Gaza where there is no safe place. However, this challenging security environment did not discourage dedicated local volunteers and mobile and resident staff from making every effort to provide the necessary relief.
As ICRC, we are fully committed to protecting and supporting the people of Gaza based on our strong mission and long-standing existence. The ICRC continues to enter into disputes of obligations under international humanitarian law through our bilateral and confidential dialogue. We continue to urgently appeal for the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, healthcare professionals and journalists.
On my own side, I have worked relentlessly and sincerely in humanitarian diplomacy to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and to ensure that urgently needed humanitarian assistance flows to Gaza on a massive scale. Global initiatives to stimulate political commitment to international humanitarian law are an important part of these efforts, states that are responsible and expected to comply with the law.
Finally, we would like to use this opportunity to provide you and your staff with a thorough explanation of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and our overall response. Regional directors of the ICRC Region and the Middle East will provide briefings supported by delegations in Iran.
IRC encourages quick action to end the human crisis in Gaza
In a letter dated July 22nd and 28th, Koliband called on the ICRC, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other Red Crescent Associations to utilize all their capabilities to expand the path to humanitarian assistance with responsible institutions to open the path to the community.
Reference to the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Relief and the Labor Bureau for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), officials said about a quarter of Gaza’s population is facing hunger, with thousands of women and children dead from malnutrition.
There have also been reports that Zionist troops were targeting civilians waiting for food, officials added.
The letter highlighted Israel’s actions as a clear example of war crimes and as a clear violation of the principles of humanitarian law. The actions of the Israeli regime may fall under the International Criminal Court’s definition of genocide in the Roman law and the 1948 treaty.
He addressed his counterpart at the Red Crescent Society. His letter, entitled “A Call for Emergency Action: Advocate for Immediate Government Intervention to Address Gaza’s Humanitarian Catastrophe,” called for immediate action to be taken to defend those affected by Gaza.
“On behalf of Iran’s Red Crescent Association (IRCS), I am writing to attract your urgent attention to the devastating humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza,” the letter reads.
“According to recent reports and statements from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UNRWA, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), is calling for immediate and coordinated humanitarian intervention, a state of crisis.
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