Geneva, 5 December - As the world’s largest humanitarian network, the IFRC’s message is clear: violence against humanitarian workers must stop. Even one life lost is far too many. Yet since the beginning of the year, 32 of our volunteers and staff have died or been killed while performing their humanitarian duties – 29 in violent attacks and 3 in accidents. This is among the highest levels of global violence against IFRC network teams that we have ever experienced.

With barely any aid coming in, people in Gaza have been experiencing the full force of winter as heavy rain and floods exacerbate an already dire humanitarian situation, leaving many lives at risk.

“We received more than 22,000 aid trucks before the closure of Rafah crossing in May 2024. Since the closure, the Palestine Red Crescent Society only received 58 aid trucks, which is absolutely nothing.” 

Geneva, 16 January - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza and stands ready to scale up operations. 

The ceasefire agreement for Gaza will provide some desperately needed respite for the millions of people who have been suffering during the relentless conflict of the last 15 months, including the hostages and their families who have been anxiously waiting to have them back home. 

Beirut, Geneva, 2 March 2025 - The closure of all border crossings for the transportation of aid into Gaza Strip represents a severe risk to the millions of people who have been struggling to survive for 16 months.  

It is vital that a ceasefire is maintained. The people of Gaza need safety, shelter, healthcare, food and psychological support while a sustainable solution for long-lasting peace is found.  

Geneva, 11 March 2025: The situation in Gaza has been dire for 16 months with chronic shortages of electricity and water.   

Geneva, 18 March 2025: Paramedics and emergency medical teams from Palestine Red Crescent have been responding in Gaza after airstrikes overnight. 

Medical facilities across the Gaza Strip are overwhelmed - the recent bombardments are compounding a desperate situation.   

As of 7am today in Gaza, Palestine Red Crescent teams have responded to 149 fatalities and 179 injuries. Women and children were among the casualties. Areas around Gaza City, Rafah and Khan Younis have been the hardest hit. 

Twelve months after her last visit, the IFRC president returns to the border between Egypt and Gaza to find people in even more dire circumstances and humanitarians working harder than ever to keep hope alive.

By Kate Forbes, President of IFRC

Geneva, 29 March 2025: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is standing with the Palestine Red Crescent and calling for urgent access and information following seven days of silence on the fate of nine medics in Gaza. 

The IFRC is gravely concerned for the ambulance crews of the Palestine Red Crescent who came under heavy gunfire while responding in the early hours of 23 March in the Al-Hashashin area of Rafah. Since then, there has been no communication with the teams. 

Geneva, 30 March 2025: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is outraged at the deaths of eight medics from Palestine Red Crescent Society, killed on duty in Gaza. 

IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain responds further to killing of eight Palestine Red Crescent medics in Guardian op-ed article.

The following op-ed article by IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain was first published by the UK Guardian on 5 April, 2025.