United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations described the situation in Gaza as “more than catastrophic”, where the war between Israel and Hamas entered its seventh month today.
“Houses, schools, hospitals have been turned into ruins. Teachers, doctors, humanitarian workers are killed. Famine is imminent,” UNICEF chief Kathryn Russell wrote on social media X, reporting that more than 13,000 children have been killed, according to statistics from Gaza’s health services, which are run by Hamas.
“The level and speed of the devastation is shocking. Children need a ceasefire NOW,” he added.
The situation is “more than catastrophic”, pointed out Jagan Sapagen, director general of the IFRC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
“Millions of lives are threatened by hunger,” he warned. “A wave of humanitarian aid must definitely reach those who need it. Not tomorrow, but now.”
The head of the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Martin Griffiths, yesterday, Saturday, called the war between Israel and the Islamist Palestinian movement a “betrayal of humanity”.
The IFRC recalled that 18 members of its network – 15 employees or volunteers of the Palestinian Red Crescent and three of Israel’s counterpart agency, Magen David Adom – have been killed since 7 October.
In X, Sapagene called for “the protection of civilians, aid workers, doctors and their facilities,” as well as “the unconditional release of all hostages.”
The International Committee of the Red Cross stressed for its part that although “the steady arrival of humanitarian aid in Gaza is vital”, it is “only part of the solution”.
“Both sides must conduct their military operations without harming civilians,” he wrote in X.
World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also reiterated at X the organization’s condemnation of Hamas’ “barbaric act of violence” and a call for the release of hostages still being held in Gaza.
But, he emphasized in X, “this atrocity does not justify the terrible bombardment that is taking place (…) the destruction of the health system in Gaza by Israel, which kills, injures and starves hundreds of thousands of civilians, including humanitarian workers.”
“The denial of basic needs – food, fuel, sanitation, shelter, safety and health care – is inhumane and intolerable,” he added.
“The death and serious injuries of thousands of children in Gaza (…) will remain a mark on all of humanity,” he added.
For the head of the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, “the abyss of hell in Gaza is deepening day by day.”
“All lines – including red lines – have been breached” and the war is “exacerbated by hunger due to the Israeli-imposed siege” and “devouring the bodies of babies and young children,” Lazzarini wrote in X .
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