EU Chief Condemns IRCC Office Shelling in Gaza

Josep Borrell, EU foreign policy chief, says the European Union  condemns the shelling of the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) office in Gaza by Israel.

The shelling led to dozens of casualties. Borrell called for an independent investigation to hold those responsible for the shelling.

The EU condemns the shelling which damaged the @ICRC office in #Gaza and led to dozens of casualties.

An independent investigation is needed and those responsible must be held accountable.

Protection of civilians is an obligation under Geneva Conventions.

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— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) June 22, 2024

He said that protection of civilians is an obligation under the Geneva Conventions adding the ICRC must be able to carry out all it Geneva Conventions duties in safety, including humanitarian protection, assistance to the victims and access to safety.  

In a statement by the ICRC office is stated that “heavy-caliber projectiles landed within meters of the office and residences of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Friday, afternoon.”

Deeply concerned by heavy-calibre shelling that damaged our #Gaza office, which is surrounded by hundreds of displaced civilians.

Parties to the conflict have the obligation under #IHL to take all precautions to avoid harming civilians incl. humanitarian staff and facilities. https://t.co/ZrzxCsZ61r

— Gilles Carbonnier (@GCarbonnierICRC) June 22, 2024

It added “the strike damaged the structure of the ICRC office, which is surrounded by hundreds of displaced civilians living in tents, including many “of our Palestinian colleagues.”

The statement went on: “This incident caused a mass casualty influx at the nearby Red Cross Field Hospital. The hospital was receiving 22 killed, 45 injured and reports of additional casualties.”

The ICRC have called this as a “grave security incident” as “one of several in recent days”, adding that “previously stray bullets have reached ICRC structure.”