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Israel and the occupied territories
In Israel and the occupied territories, the ICRC strives to bring about a difference in people's lives through its activities and programmes. We act as neutral intermediary, strive to maintain family contacts and reunite families, support livelihood projects, and help improve access to the essential services, like water and electricity. Above all, we stand up for people and promote their rights and dignity.
Since the dramatic escalation of the conflict on 7 October 2023, we are sparing no effort to attenuate on both sides the humanitarian consequences of an unprecedented crisis. We are calling for safe and sustained humanitarian access and remind all parties that international humanitarian law protects civilians, medical facilities and humanitarian personnel.
We have been present in Israel and the occupied territories since 1967 and work with the Palestine Red Crescent Society and Magen David Adom in Israel. The ICRC has offices in Tel Aviv, the West Bank and Gaza.
Latest Update
In numbers
From 7 October 2023 to 31 January 2024
- 5846 requestsregistered from family members seeking to clarify the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones through existing channels and additional emergency hotlines in Arabic, Hebrew, and English. So far, more than 600 cases have been closed.
- 109 hostageswere transferred from Gaza to their families in Israel.
- 154 Palestinian detaineeswere released from Israeli places of detention and transferred home under ICRC’s auspices.
- 11,164 forensic itemsdistributed to facilitate the dignified management, identification and eventual return of human remains to their families. 1,200 items distributed in Israel. Over 9,800 items distributed in Gaza.
- 8 local health facilitiesreceived medical supplies, enabling around 19,000 individuals to receive emergency medical care in Gaza.
- 1320 surgical proceduresperformed at the European Gaza Hospital since 1 November 2023, of which, around 50% were general surgical interventions, 26.5% were reconstructive surgery, and 23.5% were orthopaedic surgery.
- 126 real-time interventionsdone with authorities to facilitate access and safe passage for Palestinian red Crescent ambulances because of the violence in the West Bank.
- 50,000 vulnerable individualsin Gaza, mostly persons internally displaced by the hostilities, received cash assistance to cover basic needs for one month.
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- Israel and the occupied territories: operational updates
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