**Gaza Conflict Reaches Critical Point, Says ICRC Chief**
The situation in Gaza has reached a catastrophic point, according to Mirjana Spoljaric, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In an interview with the BBC, she described the conflict as “worse than hell” and called on world leaders to take immediate action to end the suffering.
**Humanity Has Failed**
Spoljaric’s comments come after months of escalating violence in Gaza, where over 54,000 Palestinians have died since Israel launched a campaign in response to Hamas’ cross-border attack. The ICRC chief acknowledged that the situation has deteriorated significantly, with civilians and hostages caught in the middle.
“It’s gotten worse… We can’t continue to watch,” she said, highlighting the devastating impact on the people of Gaza. “More important, we are watching an entire people stripped of their human dignity. It should really shock the collective conscience.”
**Breaking International Law**
Spoljaric emphasized that Israel’s actions in Gaza have gone beyond self-defense and breached international law. The ICRC chief pointed out that every state has the right to defend itself, but this does not justify breaking the rules set out in the Geneva Conventions.
“There are rules that all parties to a conflict must follow in the conduct of hostilities,” she said. “A child in Gaza is entitled to the same protections as a kid in Israel under the Geneva Conventions.”
**Humanitarian Crisis**
The ICRC has been working tirelessly to alleviate the suffering in Gaza, with over 300 personnel on the ground providing medical care and other essential services. However, Spoljaric warned that the situation remains dire, with nowhere in Gaza considered safe for civilians or hostages.
“Nowhere in Gaza is safe,” she said. “Not for the civilians and not for the hostages. That’s the truth.”
**Calls to Action**
Spoljaric urged world leaders to take immediate action to end the conflict and alleviate the suffering of Palestinians. She emphasized that every state has an obligation to use its peaceful means to reverse the current situation in Gaza.
“It will reverberate and haunt them,” she said. “It will reach their doorsteps.”
**The Future of Peace**
Spoljaric’s comments come at a critical moment, with many fearing that the conflict may escalate further if no ceasefire is reached. The ICRC chief emphasized that preserving a path back to peace for the region is essential and urged world leaders to act.
“It’s still not too late,” she said. “State leaders have an obligation to act. I’m asking them to act, to do more, and to do whatever they can.”
**Read More**
For more on this story, visit [www.bbc.com](http://www.bbc.com).
