Lerisson: Respecting the laws of war and ensuring space for humanity in the darkest of times
Amman2 min read
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The Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Israel and the occupied territories, Julian Lerisson, stated, "Respecting the laws of war ensures space for humanity even in the darkest of times," calling for "de-escalating the conflict in the occupied Palestinian territories and paving the way toward peace, so that all those affected by the conflict can live in safety and dignity alongside their loved ones."
This came during a speech by the ICRC in its capacity as a neutral intermediary, over the past three years, and marking three years of unprecedented deterioration of conditions in the occupied territories, noting that the delegation contributed to the return of more than 6,000 released Palestinian detainees. In Gaza, the ICRC is working to meet humanitarian needs, such as providing clean water, adequate shelter, and nutritious food, also through the Red Cross field hospital, which has provided more than 52,400 consultations.
He said: "The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been working since 1863 to alleviate suffering and preserve human dignity during war and armed violence. We work alongside our partners in the Red Cross and Red Crescent to distribute life-saving aid across front lines, and we strive to reconnect family members and locate missing persons."
He added: "The ICRC communicates with authorities and armed forces from all sides, often confidentially, to advocate for the humane treatment of detainees, and urges compliance with international humanitarian law to protect civilians from harm, including online."
Lerisson concluded his statement by saying: "We have witnessed a tremendous amount of suffering over the past three years, and we must not lose sight of our shared humanity."
