The Take Why is Israel still restricting aid to Gaza?
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Oct 20, 2025 Hisham Mhanna, the Spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza, shares his firsthand experiences amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis. He discusses the dire state of medical facilities and the alarming famine conditions in the north, emphasizing the urgent need for unrestricted aid. Hisham outlines the ICRC's efforts during the fragile ceasefire, including detainee transfers and the pressing need for political will to enhance aid access. He highlights the critical impact of Israeli restrictions on humanitarian operations and the essential infrastructure needed for effective assistance.
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Relentless Frontline Pressure
- Hisham Mhanna describes constant day-to-day management and no time to rest amid Gaza's devastation.
- He says ICRC staff lived the same displacement as civilians and lost six colleagues without time to grieve.
ICRC's Complex Ceasefire Role
- The ICRC facilitated complex exchanges: dozens of living releases, thousands of detainee transfers, and many dead returned to families.
- These operations intensified ICRC work and required delicate logistics and security arrangements.
Rafah Field Hospital Strain
- The ICRC ran a field hospital in Rafah and doubled bed capacity as weapon-wounded kept arriving daily.
- Mhanna says medical supplies were repeatedly insufficient despite regular shipments through crossings.