Red Cross President Calls for Ceasefire to Deliver Humanitarian Aid

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to enable the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid. Speaking in Manila, IFRC president Kate Forbes emphasized the urgent need for a political solution to allow aid access to the war-torn region.

“We desperately need a political solution that will allow us to have a ceasefire to get aid in,” Forbes stated. “We’re ready to make a difference. We have to have access, and to have access there has to [be] a ceasefire.”

The plea comes nearly eight months after the conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, resulting in significant casualties and humanitarian challenges. Forbes described the severe conditions in Gaza, particularly in Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have sought refuge due to ongoing fighting.

“There was not enough housing. There was no water, there weren’t enough sanitation toilets,” Forbes recounted, detailing her visit to Rafah in February. “We had a hospital with no equipment… and unfortunately what I was afraid of has happened, [that] there wasn’t going to be enough food.”

In recent months, international bodies have raised alarms about the risk of famine in Gaza. Cindy McCain, director of the World Food Program, declared a “full-blown famine” in the northern part of the Strip in May, a claim disputed by Israeli officials who insist that while security checks are necessary, there is no restriction on the quantity of food allowed into Gaza.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized this point in April, stating, “We plan to flood Gaza with aid,” as Israel opened additional crossing points. However, the distribution of aid has been hampered by looting and interference by Hamas, complicating efforts to reach those in need.

Forbes’ call for a ceasefire highlights the critical need for uninterrupted humanitarian access to alleviate the suffering of Gaza's residents. “I plead with the governments on all sides to negotiate a ceasefire so that we can get aid in,” she said. “My job is to ensure that when it happens, we can give the aid that’s necessary. And so they need to do their jobs so I can do my job.”

The situation remains tense, with 121 hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 still believed to be in Gaza. Israeli officials are negotiating for their release, with a recent weeklong truce in November resulting in the release of 105 civilians from Hamas captivity in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

The ongoing conflict has led to significant casualties, with the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reporting over 36,000 people killed or presumed dead. This includes approximately 15,000 terror operatives killed in battle, according to Israeli sources.

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