Full-Blown Aid Crisis in Gaza With Food, Water, Power Shortages

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Full-Blown Aid Crisis in Gaza With Food, Water, Power Shortages

Red Cross: Full-Blown Aid Crisis in Gaza With Food, Water, Power Shortages

GENEVA — The Red Cross said Tuesday that it was investigating reports that an ambulance station was hit during what officials called the most terrifying night yet of violence in Gaza, which is suffering a full-blown humanitarian crisis.

The military offensive against Palestinian rocket squads launched by Israel Dec. 27 has left up to 600 dead and as many as 3,000 injured in Gaza so far, said Pierre Kraehenbuehl, head of operations for the International Committee of the Red Cross.

"The main message coming out of Gaza this morning is one of fear and frustration," Kraehenbuehl told reporters. "This past night was described to us over the phone this morning as being the most frightening of all to date."

With civilian casualties mounting and clean water supplies nearing breakdown, Kraehenbuehl said: "There is no doubt in my mind that we are dealing with a full-blown and major crisis in humanitarian terms."