WANA (Jul 23) – The President of the Iranian Red Crescent Society has formally called on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to take urgent, independent, and coordinated action to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza, warning of a deepening humanitarian catastrophe and widespread famine.

 

According to a statement released Wednesday by the Iranian Red Crescent, Pirhossein Kolivand sent an official letter to the President of the ICRC, expressing grave concern over the dire conditions in Gaza and urging the international community to respond swiftly and decisively to halt the ongoing humanitarian disaster.

 

In his letter, citing reports from international organizations such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Kolivand stated that nearly one-quarter of Gaza’s population is facing famine, and thousands of women and children have already died due to malnutrition. He also referenced credible reports of Israeli forces firing on civilians waiting in food distribution lines.

 

Kolivand described the actions of the Israeli military as clear examples of war crimes and blatant violations of fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. He emphasized that these acts could fall under the definition of genocide according to the Rome Statute and the 1948 Genocide Convention.

 

The Iranian Red Crescent President urged the ICRC to utilize all available resources to activate humanitarian diplomacy and engage relevant international bodies to ensure unobstructed humanitarian aid corridors.

 

Kolivand underscored the ICRC’s impartial and independent role in facilitating global support to contain the crisis.