The German Red Cross warned about an impending humanitarian catastrophe in Lebanon due to ongoing Israeli attacks. The DRK President, Hermann Gröhe, told the “Rheinische Post” (Saturday) that numerous hospitals are currently overwhelmed with casualties, and there is an escalating risk of shortages concerning essential medicines and materials, particularly if the attacks continue.
Gröhe stated that the humanitarian situation in Lebanon has deteriorated significantly once again. He noted that densely populated areas have recently come under fire without adequate warning. While the full consequences are yet to be seen, they must anticipate hundreds of deaths and over a thousand injured civilians, indicating that the armed conflict has reached a new, even more devastating scale.
Furthermore, the DRK President expressed deep concern and outrage over the increasing frequency of civilian casualties worldwide, including those among humanitarian aid workers. He pointed out that in 2024 and 2025 alone, over 300 aid workers were killed globally, many associated with the German Red Cross sister societies. Gröhe added that aid workers have already been killed this year, including one from the Lebanese Red Cross.
He strongly urged all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law, emphasizing that there are established rules designed to maintain a minimum standard of humanity even during armed conflicts. These rules include the protection of medical facilities, medical personnel, and the civilian population. Gröhe stressed that it is absolutely indispensable for all conflicting parties to follow these established rules.
