The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as ‘untenable’ saying she saw ‘a lack of everything’ in the blockaded territory.

The ICRC president said on Tuesday that civilians in Gaza were being forced to endure tremendous suffering and loss.

“There is a lack of operational space for the humanitarian actors, but most importantly, there is an acute lack of safety and security for people anywhere in Gaza,” she said.

“There is some aid getting in. There are some trucks coming in but this is by far not enough given the suffering and the level of the needs of the people.”

Spoljaric noted that civilian infrastructure and hospitals are among the prime targets of Israeli bombings and shelling.

“What I saw in the hospital that I visited was a total exhaustion, a density because people are seeking refuge in these hospitals. But what I also saw is a lack of medication, a lack of electricity, a lack of water that is necessary for the hospitals to run,” she said. “But most importantly, decreasing surgical capability given the high number of casualties and wounded people.”

Elsewhere in her remarks, the ICRC president said that her organization was focusing its operations on the hospitals, “on providing medical assistance as much as we can, including through medical teams, surgeons that are there operating around the clock”.

Spoljaric also earlier expressed concern over the massive destruction of the civilian infrastructure due to the relentless bombardment of Gaza.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization says, Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza is out of function.

Israeli forces have laid siege to the hospital complex. They have once again attacked al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City.

The total death toll from the Israeli onslaught since October 7 now tops 19,600, mostly women and children.