The Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Pierre Krähenbühl, has voiced grave concerns regarding the nature of warfare in the Gaza Strip. In an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Krähenbühl stated, “If Gaza represents the future of war, then I am afraid for the future of humanity.
He emphasized that it is no longer possible to claim ignorance regarding the situation unfolding in Gaza, highlighting the displacement of millions of people and the tragic loss of over 400 humanitarian aid workers. “These numbers are unseen in any other conflict and I have never encountered them in my 35 years of experience” he stated.
While acknowledging the ICRC’s ongoing efforts to provide assistance, Krähenbühl expressed that these efforts are insufficient. He underscored the need for renewed political courage to pursue solutions, adding that the world appears to be adapting to a persistent state of violence despite repeated affirmations of a commitment to upholding international humanitarian law.
A concerning trend, according to the ICRC Director-General, is the erosion of trust in the Geneva Conventions and their foundational principles. He warned that questioning these established rules risks plunging the world towards further instability.
The situation is further complicated by significant reductions in humanitarian aid, including from Germany. The ICRC is now compelled to carefully evaluate its capacity to continue operations, prioritizing “lifesaving functions” and focusing on the most acute phases of crises.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, founded in 1863 and headquartered in Geneva, is a neutral, independent humanitarian organization operating globally in numerous conflict zones, including Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Ukraine and Gaza.
