ICRC urges Israel to allow medicines into Gaza

Geneva, Jun 30: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), concerned about escalating West Asia violence today, called for Israel to allow urgent medical supplies into Gaza.

Dorothea Krimitsas, ICRC spokeswoman, said Israel was obliged under international law, including the Geneva Conventions, to ensure that humanitarian supplies reach Palestinian civilians.

Israeli warplanes pounded Gaza today, setting ablaze the Interior Ministry office of the Hamas-led Palestinian government in a widening military effort to secure the release of a soldier captured last Sunday.

''We are negotiating with Israel to allow in humanitarian aid.

These are essential medicines and medical supplies for the Palestinian Red Crescent,'' Krimitsas told Reuters.

''We are concerned at the humanitarian consequences of the escalation of violence and closure of crossing points to Gaza, especially the Karni crossing,'' she added.

Karni is Gaza's main commercial crossing, through which virtually all trade between Israel and the impoverished coastal strip must pass.

The ICRC is also anxious to deliver food packages and household items for Palestinian families, some of whom have had their homes destroyed, according to Krimitsas.

''Under international law, Israel has the obligation to allow humanitarian supplies into Gaza. It also has the duty to ensure that the vital supplies for the population, including food and medicine, are adequate,'' she said.

Israeli strikes have knocked out bridges, water systems and a major power transformer in the densely populated Gaza Strip, home to 1.4 million Palestinians.

Hospitals, hard-hit by the loss of electricity, have to use generators for power, consuming precious fuel, Krimitsas said.

''We are worried about the fuel stocks. Palestinian authorities have estimated that they have enough for about 7 to 10 days,'' she added.

REUTERS

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