Australian Red Cross

ALT Today, we facilitated the safe return of 20 hostages to Israeli authorities and 1,809 Palestinian detainees to Gaza and the West Bank. Our teams also transferred the remains of four deceased hostages to Israeli authorities. We stand ready to further support the transfer of remains of the deceased, as per the agreement between the parties. Relevant actors must abide by their commitments to uphold human dignity, and end the pain and suffering endured by so many.

ALT It is with deep sorrow that we announce the tragic killing of our colleague, Ziyad El Toum. Ziyad, 46, was killed near his home in Khan Younis in Gaza around 04 July 2025, while attempting along with his relatives to reach and assist an injured family member. Tragically, Ziyad and his relatives did not survive. Ziyad’s killing is a devastating loss for his family and friends and for our entire team. We extend our deepest condolences to Ziyad’s wife, extended family, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.

ALT We are very sad to announce the death of another colleague in Gaza. Mahmoud Barakeh, who worked supporting logistics at the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah, was killed on Sunday 22nd June. Mahmoud leaves behind his wife, three sons and two daughters. His killing is a profound personal loss and a painful moment for the entire team. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of working alongside him. This heartbreaking loss is yet another stark reminder of the immense challenges our colleagues, and the people of Gaza, face each day.

ALT Today, the 60-bed Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah received a mass casualty influx of 149 cases. Tragically, 16 were declared dead on arrival, and three more died of their wounds shortly thereafter. The vast majority of patients suffered gunshot injuries, with all responsive individuals reporting they were wounded while on their way to an aid distribution site. Since the 27 May, the field hospital has had to activate its mass casualty procedures 20 times. The scale and frequency of these incidents is an alarming testament to the intolerable dangers civilians face as they attempt to access assistance. Civilians must have access to food, water, medical supplies, hygiene items, and other essentials. The rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance aid must be allowed and facilitated. Those injured must receive the urgent medical care and attention they need as soon as possible.

ALT Early this morning, the 60-bed Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah received a mass casualty influx of 184 patients. This includes nineteen cases who were declared dead upon arrival and eight more who died due to their wounds shortly after. The majority of cases suffered gunshot wounds. Again, all responsive patients said they were trying to reach an assistance distribution site. In the span of one week, staff at the Red Cross Field Hospital have responded to five mass casualty incidents, four of which occurred in the last 96 hours alone. Today’s is the highest number of weapon-wounded patients received in a single incident since the establishment of the field hospital over a year ago. The high number of patients far exceeded the number of beds at the hospital and threatened to overwhelm the capacity of its staff to respond.

ALT The unprecedented scale and frequency of recent mass casualty incidents treated at the field hospital is deeply worrying and illustrates the harrowing reality that civilians in Gaza are being forced to endure. Supplies cannot currently be replenished at the rate necessary to meet the high number of casualties, which is increasing the strain on the hospital and existing stocks. The ICRC urgently reiterates its call for the respect and protection of civilians. Civilians trying to access humanitarian assistance should not have to confront danger. Now more than ever, it is crucial that the rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian relief into Gaza is allowed and facilitated.

ALT Early morning on 1 June, the 60-bed Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah received a mass casualty influx of 179 cases, including women and children. The majority suffered gunshot or shrapnel wounds. Twenty-one patients were declared dead upon arrival. All patients said they had been trying to reach an aid distribution site. This is the highest number of weapon-wounded in a single incident since the establishment of the field hospital over a year ago. It far surpassed the capacity of the hospital. Hospital staff treated patients as per our triage procedures, and some cases were referred to other facilities for further treatment. This process, however, remains complicated due to many medical facilities being damaged or rendered out of service.

ALT The reality on the ground in Gaza is that for months now, civilians have had to navigate the areas affected by intense hostilities to find food and safe water for their families. The high number of dead and injured patients received in a short amount of time is indicative of the increasing danger to civilians who have already struggled to survive for almost twenty months of unimaginable hostilities. This is unacceptable.

ALT International humanitarian law is clear: the rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian relief must be allowed and facilitated. This is crucial to ensure that medical supplies, food, water, hygiene items, and other essentials reach those in need. Humanitarian organizations have proven track records of distributing humanitarian assistance to civilians in an effective, safe, and dignified manner. They must be allowed to respond at scale and in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence. The small amount of assistance currently entering Gaza is nowhere near enough to meet the needs, and the desperation of civilians to reach any of this assistance is growing.

ALT We are heartbroken by the death of two of our dear colleagues, Ibrahim Eid and Ahmad Abu Hilal, who were killed in a strike on their home in Khan Younis on the 24th of May, 2025. Ibrahim worked as a Weapon Contamination Officer for the ICRC and Ahmad worked as a Security Guard at the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah. We extend our profound condolences to their families, friends, and colleagues. Their loss leaves a deep hole in our hearts. Their killing points to the intolerable civilian death toll in Gaza. The ICRC reiterates its urgent call for a ceasefire and for the respect and protection of civilians, including medical, humanitarian relief, and civil defence personnel.