Gaza Civil Defence Urges Immediate International Assistance

The Gaza Civil Defence sent a formal appeal to the United Nations International Civil Protection organization, requesting urgent support for its severely depleted rescue and fire‑fighting capabilities. The appeal highlighted repeated targeting of its personnel, destruction of equipment, and the daily risk to rescuers who continue to extract victims, extinguish fires, and respond to air strikes despite severe shortages.

In a separate statement, Hadi Shibli, Palestine's permanent envoy to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, called for swift international action to halt the ongoing Israeli assault on the West Bank and Gaza. He urged protection for the Palestinian people, accountability for alleged war crimes, and coordinated humanitarian aid from the EU, AU and other actors. Both statements stress that civil‑defence personnel are protected under international humanitarian law and that their safety is essential for civilian protection.