Red Cross chief says Gaza City mass evacuation impossible

The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric, has sharply criticized Israel’s announced plan for a large-scale evacuation of Gaza City in advance of a potential military takeover. In a statement released Saturday, Spoljaric warned that such a move would place civilians in extreme danger.

“Impossible to Carry Out Safely”

Spoljaric stressed that under current circumstances, forcing a mass departure from Gaza City could not be conducted in a way that ensured the basic safety or dignity of its residents. “It is impossible that a mass evacuation of Gaza City could ever be done in a way that is safe and dignified under the current conditions,” she said, calling the proposal “not only unfeasible but incomprehensible.”

Humanitarian Concerns

Her remarks highlight growing international alarm over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where residents have already been living under severe restrictions and frequent military operations. Aid agencies argue that without secure corridors, medical support, and sufficient resources, large-scale displacement would only compound suffering and lead to further casualties.

The Red Cross has consistently urged all parties in the conflict to uphold international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and ensure access to aid. Spoljaric’s comments add weight to mounting global appeals for restraint and for any military plans to fully account for the safety of the civilian population.