The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has reported a grim milestone in Gaza, with 50 Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) staff and volunteers killed since the escalation of hostilities in October 2023.
The latest loss, nurse Haitham Bassam Abu Issa, was killed off duty in Deir al-Balah on June 26, 2025.
The IFRC condemned the violence, emphasizing the intolerable loss of humanitarian workers in the conflict.
Of the 50 PRCS personnel killed, 30 were on duty, wearing protective emblems that should have ensured their safety under international humanitarian law.
The remaining 20, including Abu Issa, were killed off duty, underscoring the broader risks faced by civilians in Gaza.
The IFRC described the death toll as “a deeply shocking figure,” highlighting the escalating dangers for both humanitarian workers and civilians in the war-torn region.
The IFRC expressed profound sorrow and solidarity with the PRCS, calling the situation in Gaza a “stark reminder of the desperate situation.”
The organization reiterated its demand for adherence to international humanitarian law, stressing that “Civilians must be protected. Humanitarians must be protected. There are no excuses.”
The IFRC extended condolences to Abu Issa’s family and urged immediate action to safeguard those providing critical aid and support in Gaza.