Inp.polri.go.id - Geneva. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned on Thursday (12/10/23) that the absence of electricity in hospitals within the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip in Palestine could turn it into mortuaries. Fabrizio Carboni, ICRC's Regional Director for the Middle East, emphasized the critical situation, citing the vulnerability of newborns in incubation, elderly patients reliant on oxygen, cessation of kidney dialysis, and the inability to conduct essential X-ray procedures in the absence of electrical power. "Civilians are enduring profound suffering as a consequence of this escalation, and I earnestly implore both parties to collaborate in mitigating this crisis," he said as reported by antaranews.com. Furthermore, Carboni conveyed that the ICRC has been in communication with both Hamas and Israel. He affirmed the Committee's preparedness to execute humanitarian initiatives, to facilitate communication between hostages and their families, and to expedite the release of hostages. In the latest episode of conflict in the Middle East, Israeli forces initiated a military offensive within the Gaza Strip in response to incursions by the Palestinian militant faction, Hamas, into Israeli territory. The conflict was instigated when Hamas launched "Operation Al-Aqsa Storm" against Israel, employing a coordinated surprise assault involving rocketry and multi-modal incursions via land, sea, and air.  In turn, the Israeli military launched "Operation Iron Sword" within the Gaza Strip, instituting a complete blockade that resulted in a deprivation of water and electricity for the area's inhabitants. This dire situation compounded the existing hardships endured by the people of Gaza, who had already been grappling with the effects of the Israeli blockade since 2007. (ar/inp/pr/nm)