The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is horrified by Israel’s overnight bombardment of Gaza, which killed over 400 civilians, and injured hundreds more. Hospitals, already on the brink of collapse, struggle to treat the wounded without electricity, fuel or medical supplies. The renewed bombardments have erased any illusion of protection for civilians in Gaza, who continue to be subjected to relentless violence, forced starvation and systematic deprivation.
The international community must act now to ensure that violence and hostilities are stopped and that lives are saved. The people of Gaza have already suffered unimaginable horror, and we cannot allow them to endure more. It is critical that ceasefire negotiations continue, aid organisations have unfettered access and that the blockade is lifted.
/ Lilu Thapa, Exec. Director - DRC MENA
Israeli strikes have targeted residential areas, displacement camps and more with reports of bodies still trapped under the rubble. The escalation comes after Israel imposed a full blockade on humanitarian aid at the beginning of Ramadan, cutting off food, water, medicine and fuel. The decision to cut off humanitarian aid is a grave violation of international law and could amount to collective punishment. Last night’s airstrikes have further pushed Gaza’s already dire humanitarian situation to the edge of total collapse.
International law is not optional – it is binding. Bombing civilians, blocking aid and forcible displacement are flagrant violations that cannot be ignored. The international community must take urgent action to ensure the protection of civilians and the immediate restoration of humanitarian access.
/ Alejandro Cuyar, Head of Operations - DRC oPt
The renewed violence has immediate and devastating humanitarian impacts, jeopardizing the delivery of food, water and essential services for the most vulnerable. No humanitarian aid has entered Gaza for 15 days, leaving 2.2 million facing extreme food insecurity and forcing 92% of the population to rely on contaminated water sources. The complete electricity blackout has crippled hospitals, with over 70% of medical facilities non-functional due to bombardment and fuel shortages. Continued violence will only escalate forced displacement, already affecting 1.8 million people, further destroy what little infrastructure remains, and lead to more loss of life.
As bombardments intensify, Israeli forces have issued new forced displacement orders*, demanding that entire communities evacuate immediately to areas that have previously been targeted, are heavily contaminated with explosive remnants and lack the capacity to shelter more people.
This is not evacuation; it is systematic displacement under fire. Families are being ordered to flee in war conditions, with no guarantee of safety, shelter or return.
/ Lilu Thapa, Exec. Director - DRC MENA
The collapse of ceasefire negotiations has plunged Gaza into an even deeper humanitarian catastrophe, where starvation, disease and destruction threaten the survival of 2.2 million people. The international community must act now. DRC urges all parties and the international community to take immediate, decisive steps to prevent further suffering and uphold the basic principles of humanity:
*Note: Under IHL, evacuations are only lawful if they ensure civilian protection, are temporary and provide access to essentials. DRC classifies these directives as forced displacement orders to reflect their unlawful nature.