After 52 days of conflict, the Gaza Strip is a shambles, said Head of operations for the Near and Middle East at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Robert Mardini , who just completed a mission to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
In order to respond to the immense needs, the ICRC is increasing its initial budget by almost 70 per cent, bringing it to a total of 73.3 million Swiss francs (approximately 80.2 million dollars), he added, according to a statement issued by the ICRC.
"The ICRC was on the ground in Gaza throughout this latest conflict, carrying out its humanitarian work as it did in previous ones. With our 280 staff based in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, we are committed to doing everything we can to help people recover yet again," said Mardini.
"The current humanitarian situation has to be viewed in the wider context of ongoing occupation, eight years of closure and heavy restrictions on the movement of goods and people, three conflicts occurring within just six years, and an already fragile infrastructure," he added.