Red Cross chief worried about safety of team in Gaza

The head of the International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on Saturday said he is "worried" about the safety of his teams in Gaza.

"Since yesterday, we've lost contact with them in the blackout. We don't know if people in need are getting help. I can't stress this enough: civilians, health facilities must be protected. It's a humanitarian imperative," Jagan Chapagain said on X.

Gaza is reeling from relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Hamas on Oct. 7.

Israel responded with an uninterrupted campaign of air raids, which intensified Friday night along with ground operations amid a complete blackout of telecommunications and internet networks.

At least 7,703 Palestinians, including 3,595 children, have been killed in the Israeli attacks, while 1,400 people were killed in the Hamas attack on Israel.

Gaza's 2.3 million residents are also grappling with shortages of food, water, and medicine due to Israel's blockade of the enclave. Only a few aid trucks have crossed into Gaza since the opening of the Rafah crossing point last weekend.