# Gaza: A Humanitarian Crisis Beyond Imagination, ICRC President Declares

Mirjana Spoljaric’s remarks highlight an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, as Gaza faces devastation surpassing all conceivable limits of suffering and destruction.

The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric, has described the situation in Gaza as “worse than hell on earth” during an interview with the BBC at the organization’s Geneva headquarters. She expressed deep concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region, stating that “humanity is failing” as it witnesses the ongoing horrors of the Gaza war.

In her visit to the ICRC's headquarters, Spoljaric elaborated that the conditions in Gaza have further deteriorated since her earlier comments in April regarding the humanitarian situation there. “We cannot continue to watch what is happening,” she emphasized, asserting that the current devastation surpasses all acceptable standards of moral and humane treatment. “We are witnessing a people entirely stripped of its human dignity, and this should appall our collective conscience,” she stated.

Spoljaric argued that world leaders have a pressing obligation to intervene, emphasizing the need to halt hostilities, address the suffering of Palestinians, and release Israeli hostages. The ICRC, noted for its long history of alleviating war-related suffering, has been actively involved in the region, challenging the narratives around the ongoing conflict and reaffirming its commitment to protecting civilian rights.

When asked about the justification for Israeli actions framed as self-defense against Hamas, Spoljaric affirmed that every state has a right to defend itself, but stressed that there are definitive rules in warfare that must be honored by all parties involved. She pointed out that both the Geneva Conventions and the moral imperative to protect civilians apply universally, asserting that “a child in Gaza has exactly the same protections under the Geneva Conventions as a child in Israel.”

The ICRC has maintained a constant presence in Gaza, collecting vital information amidst a media blackout that restricts international organizations from sending journalists to the area. With 90% of its staff in Gaza being Palestinian, the organization plays an essential role in documenting the realities of war-torn regions.

In recent weeks, ICRC medical teams have experienced overwhelming numbers of casualties due to violence surrounding new aid distribution efforts. Spoljaric described harrowing scenes at their surgical hospital in Rafah, where they recently received a staggering influx of 184 casualties in a single morning, highlighting the chaos that has ensnared civilians and aid workers alike.

As the death toll in Gaza continues to soar, with over 54,000 fatalities reported, Spoljaric called upon world leaders to prioritize humanitarian aid and ceasefire actions, warning that failing to do so may irrevocably destabilize the region. She lamented, “It’s not too late to act. If we overlook this moment, the consequences will haunt us all.”

The ongoing conflict has prompted widespread criticism, and Spoljaric’s stark words resonate as a clarion call for immediate action and moral accountability from the international community, emphasizing that the erosion of humanitarian rights threatens global stability far beyond the region.