American Red Cross Statement on the Conflict in Israel and Gaza

The following statement may be attributed to the American Red Cross:

"As the hostilities between Israel and Hamas continue, we mourn the tens of thousands of lives lost and continue to implore all organizations and combatants with the capacity, the influence, and the remit to please do whatever possible to both protect and deliver immediate relief for the innocent civilians, aid workers and emergency responders suffering from this devastation, particularly our Movement partners in the region. The fact that innocent civilians continue to be held hostage is unacceptable and their safe release must remain a top priority.

The global Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement consists of three different parts - -the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and individual national societies like the American Red Cross. Each plays a unique role, working independently and in support of one another to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The ICRC is the lead Red Cross Red Crescent entity in conflict zones, helping to ensure that humanitarian law is followed during armed conflict and providing humanitarian protection and assistance for victims amid violence.

We continue to support the work of the global Red Cross Movement in the reunification of loved ones, as well as the critical delivery of humanitarian aid and restoration of essential medical services.

The American Red Cross has pledged $10 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross to help remove any financial obstacles that may impact the ability to provide humanitarian relief. ICRC relief efforts in Gaza include a war surgery team, medical shipments and other critical supplies to hospitals including war-wounded kits, fuel for generators and ambulances and vital surgical equipment.

We have pledged $5 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to support the passage of goods from Egypt into Gaza, as well as the urgent needs of evacuees arriving in Egypt, including healthcare services, water, shelter, sanitation, hygiene, and logistics support.

Additionally, the American Red Cross has pledged $1.75 million each to the Palestine Red Cross Society and Magen David Adom to support ongoing relief work in Gaza and Israel. We commend the heroic efforts of both Magen David Adom in Israel and the Palestine Red Crescent Society which remain on the front lines of this devastating conflict as their facilities, vehicles and supplies have been destroyed or challenged working amid gunfire, rocket attacks and bombings. Sadly, volunteers and employees from both national societies, as well as the ICRC, have lost their lives while aiding civilians during the hostilities. Red Cross and Red Crescent teams from around the world are united in supporting this crisis and aiding those in need.

Additional information:

For those trying to locate or get in touch with a U.S. citizen, please contact the U.S. Department of State Overseas Citizens Services call 1-833-890-9595 or 1-606-641-0131 to connect to the coordinating group.

For those who wish to help people affected by the humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict in Israel and Gaza that escalated in October 2023, we ask that they write "Middle East Humanitarian Crisis" in the memo line of a check and mail it with a completed donation formto the address on the form or to their local Red Cross chapter. Your donation will be used by the Red Cross Movement where it's needed most to help all those in the impacted region.

Currently, the American Red Cross and our global Red Cross partners are not accepting donations of in-kind goods such as food, clothing or blankets. These items can be difficult to manage on the ground and divert resources from our mission. Other charitable organizations may be better suited to manage such donations.

During emergencies, the American Red Cross will ship blood products outside of the U.S. following a specific request from the U. S. State Department for U.S. citizens overseas, at the request of the United Nations, or at the request of the affected Red Cross or Red Crescent society abroad. We have not received blood product requests for Israel or Gaza at this time.

For those interested in learning more about international humanitarian law and its vital role in protecting the innocent during armed conflict, please visit www.redcross.org/ihl. The American Red Cross has a duty to fulfill the Geneva Conventions' purpose of reducing suffering during armed conflict. As part of our duty, the American Red Cross leads the effort to ensure Americans are informed of these laws and the humanitarian principles they reflect.

For more information about how the global Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is assisting those affected, visit icrc.org.

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