The International Committee of the Red Cross said 22 people were killed on Friday in an attack that damaged its office in Gaza, which is surrounded by hundreds of displaced people living in tents.
The ICCR did not say who fired the “heavy caliber projectiles”, but said in a statement on social media platform X that the shells had “damaged the structure of the ICCR office”.
It said 22 bodies and 45 wounded were taken to a nearby Red Cross field hospital following the shelling, and there were “reports of additional casualties”.
The health ministry in the Hamas-run area said 25 people were killed and 50 wounded in the shelling, which it blamed on Israel. The ministry said Israeli shelling “targeted tents of displaced persons in the al-Mawasi area” which surrounds the ICRC base.
An Israel Defense Forces spokesman did not acknowledge its role in the incident but said it was “under review.”
“Initial investigations show there are no indications that the IDF attacked the humanitarian area of al-Mawasi. The incident is under review,” the spokesman told AFP.
The ICRC said: “Heavy-calibre projectiles fell on Friday afternoon within a few metres of the offices and residences of the International Committee of the Red Cross.”
“Firing so close to humanitarian structures, whose locations are known to the conflict parties and which are clearly marked with the Red Cross emblem, puts the lives of civilians and Red Cross staff at risk,” the organisation said.
“This serious security incident is one of many that have occurred in recent days,” it said.
“Stray bullets have previously reached ICRC structures. We condemn these incidents, which endanger the lives of humanitarians and civilians.”
The ICRC has consistently called on Israel and Hamas to respect international law and protect civilians caught in the conflict sparked by Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October.
Calling on both sides to do more to protect civilians, “whichever side they are on”, ICRC chief Mirjana Spoljaric said it was “the fine line between humanity and barbarism”.
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