Red Cross Warns of "New Inferno" in Gaza as War Resumes After Truce Collapse

A devastating new chapter of violence and human suffering has unfolded in Gaza, with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warning of a "new inferno" in the region following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement. Speaking at the Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday, Pierre Krahenbuhl, the director general of the ICRC, painted a grim picture of the catastrophic conditions endured by civilians since the resumption of Israel's military operations.

Gaza has been plunged back into widespread devastation, experiencing unprecedented levels of death, injury, displacement, starvation, and the denial of humanitarian aid and basic dignity. "Gaza is experiencing and enduring... death, injury, multiple displacements, amputations, separation, disappearance, starvation and denial of aid and dignity on a massive scale," Krahenbuhl said, emphasizing the massive scale of human suffering currently unfolding.

The ceasefire, brokered in January 2025 by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, had offered a temporary reprieve after 15 months of intense fighting triggered by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. That assault resulted in 1,218 Israeli deaths, mostly civilians, and the abduction of 251 people by Hamas militants. However, the truce began to falter by early March as negotiations failed to produce a lasting agreement on next steps. On March 18, Israel resumed its air and ground attacks across the Gaza Strip, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis.

Krahenbuhl's speech was a stark reminder of the human toll that war extracts, not just from the direct victims but from entire societies. "This horror and dehumanisation will haunt us for decades to come," he warned, noting the profound psychological and societal scars the conflict is leaving behind.

In his address, Krahenbuhl highlighted the shared trauma faced by both sides. Families of Israeli hostages continue to live a nightmare, awaiting news about their loved ones, while Palestinian families suffer the devastation wrought by sustained military action. According to the Red Cross, over 400 aid workers and 1,000 healthcare workers have been killed in Gaza, including 36 members of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, showcasing the extraordinary danger faced by those trying to provide relief amid the chaos.

The human cost continues to rise. Gaza’s health ministry, run by Hamas, reported on Sunday that the total death toll in the territory had reached 52,243 since the war began, after hundreds of previously missing individuals were confirmed dead. The sheer scale of destruction and loss of life has led to growing international alarm, but concrete steps to halt the fighting remain elusive.

Israel, for its part, has justified the renewed military campaign by citing the need to force Hamas to release the remaining hostages. As of the latest updates, 58 hostages are still held in Gaza, with Israeli authorities confirming that 34 of them are believed to be dead.

The renewed fighting has not only exacerbated the humanitarian crisis but has also hampered the delivery of aid to the besieged enclave. Israel’s actions have included halting the entry of crucial humanitarian supplies, deepening the hardships faced by the civilian population.

The situation reflects a broader pattern seen throughout prolonged conflicts, where the lines between military objectives and civilian suffering become increasingly blurred. Humanitarian agencies are struggling to provide even basic assistance, and the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene diplomatically to halt the bloodshed.

The words of Krahenbuhl underline the urgency of restoring some form of peace process before the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza becomes irreversible. The scale of devastation, the loss of life, and the destruction of vital infrastructure are setting the stage for a generational trauma that could fuel further instability and suffering for years to come.

As the world watches, the call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire grows louder. The tragedy unfolding in Gaza is a reminder that behind every statistic are countless stories of shattered lives, lost futures, and enduring pain. Whether through renewed diplomatic engagement or stronger international pressure, there is a pressing need to bring this "new inferno" to an end before more lives are lost.

In the meantime, humanitarian workers continue their efforts amid unimaginable risk, and civilians endure another round of violence that has left them with little hope for the future. The conflict in Gaza stands as a stark indictment of the failure to resolve political differences without resorting to violence, and a reminder that peace remains an urgent, if distant, imperative.