UN chief denies fate of Palestinian civilians stranded in northern Gaza

“The situation of Palestinian civilians who are stranded in northern Gaza is unbearable. In the past few weeks alone, hundreds of people have been killed, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and more than 60,000 others have been forced to flee​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ for them to return in a statement to the media.

He said there were “civilians trapped under rubble, sick and injured people deprived of life-saving health care, and families without food or shelter, while families were reportedly separated and many people detained.” “

Living in danger

The Secretary-General notes that repeated efforts to provide life-saving humanitarian supplies – food, medicine and shelter – “continue to be denied”​​​​ by the Israeli authorities, with very few exceptions, putting countless lives at risk.”

In addition, the cancellation of the final phase of the polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza puts the lives of thousands of children at risk.

“The Secretary-General warns that widespread destruction and deprivation as a result of Israeli military operations in northern Gaza – particularly around Jabalia, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun – make living conditions impossible for Palestinian population in this region. This conflict continues without taking into account the requirements of international humanitarian law,” said his spokesman.

Protection of civilians

“The Secretary-General emphasizes that parties to conflict must respect and protect civilians, including humanitarian workers and first responders, who must facilitate their vital work and protection – not blocked and imposed,” he said.

The UN chief reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and accountability for crimes under international law.

On Saturday, the UN’s top humanitarian official also warned that the entire population of northern Gaza was at risk of death, calling for an immediate end to the Israeli military’s “blatant disregard” for the rules of war.

“What the Israeli forces are doing in the besieged northern Gaza cannot be tolerated,” Joyce Msuya, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, said in a statement.