Gaza media office calls Red Cross shutdown in Gaza City 'irresponsible'

The Gaza media office on Monday slammed last week's decision by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to cease operations in Gaza City as Israeli hostilities increase.

"The ICRC will continue to strive to provide support to civilians in Gaza City, whenever circumstances allow, from our offices in Deir al-Balah and Rafah, which remain fully operational," the organisation said in a statement at the time.

The Gaza media office, however, demanded an "immediate reversal" of the decision. 

"The Red Cross's decision to temporarily suspend its work in Gaza is dangerous, inhumane, and contrary to international law," the government agency said.

"This decision is irresponsible, at a time when hundreds of thousands of civilians in Gaza are subjected to unprecedented and harsh conditions due to war, killing, siege, starvation, and the destruction caused by the occupation's war machine," it added. 

"The Red Cross is an institution protected by international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. Its duty is to work in conflict zones, not flee them. Withdrawing now would contradict the essence of its humanitarian mandate, for which it was created".