Gaza: Palestinians are dying because of deadly delays in evacuation

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said the darkest moment of the Gaza conflict is taking place in the northern Gaza Strip, where the Israeli army is subjecting entire populations to bombs, sieges and danger. risk of starvation, as well as being forced to choose between mass displacement and being trapped in an active conflict zone.

“The bombing in northern Gaza is relentless,” he said on Friday. “The Israeli army has ordered the relocation of hundreds of thousands of people with no guarantee of return. However, there is no safe way to leave. Bombs continue to fall, the Israeli army is separating families and arresting people and those fleeing are believed to have been shot.”

There may be brutal crimes in the North

Calling on world leaders to act, the United Nations human rights chief said countries have an obligation under the Geneva Conventions to ensure respect for international humanitarian law.

“Unimaginably, the situation is getting worse and worse,” he emphasized.

“The Israeli government’s policies and activities in northern Gaza risk causing all Palestinians to leave the area. We are facing crimes that could reach atrocious proportions, including the possibility of extending them to crimes against humanity.”

Stuck in bureaucracy

At the same time, children are being medically evacuated from across Gaza at a rate of less than one per day, with many suffering from serious conditions such as head injuries, amputations, burns, cancer and severe malnutrition. important, said James Elder, spokesman for the Organization. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), told reporters in Geneva on Friday morning.

“This is not a logistical problemhe said. “We have the ability to safely transport these children out of Gaza. It’s not a matter of capacity. Indeed, we have evacuated children in higher numbers than just a few months ago. It is simply an issue that is being completely ignored.”

As the year-long war continues, children are being medically evacuated from Gaza at a rate of less than one per day, with many suffering serious conditions such as head injuries, cuts and amputations. amputations, burns, cancer and severe malnutrition.

Trapped in the grip of an indifferent bureaucracy, children’s suffering is cruelly exacerbated, he said, adding that when a patient is denied evacuation it is not What can be done?

Do not give reasons for refusal

If this deadly slow pace continues, it will take more than seven years to evacuate the 2,500 children in need of urgent medical care, Elder warned, adding that COGAT, the acronym for the Israeli government responsible responsibility for humanitarian issues in the occupied Gaza Strip,”no reason for refusal was given”.

“It is unknown how many pediatric patients were refused medical evacuation injections [emergency medical evacuation]”, Mr. Elder said.

“Only the list of approved patients is provided by Israel’s COGAT, which controls Gaza’s entry and exit points. The status of others is not shared.”

“As a result, children in Gaza are dying, not just because bombs, bullets and artillery shells strike them, but because, even when ‘miracles happen,’ even when bombs explode and houses collapse and casualties mounted, but the children survived, who were then prevented from leaving Gaza to receive emergency care to save their lives.”

Human rights violations

From January 1 to May 7, an average of 296 children were medically evacuated each month. Since the Rafah border crossing closed on May 7 due to the Israeli ground offensive there, the number of children medically evacuated has dropped to just 22 per month, or 127.

“After more than a year of trying to shed light on the atrocities committed against children in Gaza, this is perhaps the clearest and most damaging reality: children – seriously ill children – are being denied Medical care that can save children’s lives. Mr. Elder said.

“As a result, children are denied medical care which is a basic human right, and those who barely survive the ruthless bombings are sentenced to death for their injuries.”

There’s no way out

“One of the many tragedies in Gaza is that the appalling numbers have failed to motivate those in power to act,” he said, sharing the stories of some of the children he met waiting to be evacuated. international.

He said yes “There is no way out” for 12-year-old MazyonaHer siblings were killed when two rockets struck her home, leaving her with serious facial injuries, shrapnel lodged in her neck, requiring her to be taken to the emergency room for special care and bone surgery.

Likewise, he continued, Six-month-old Atef is battling muscle cancer and severe malnutrition, and four-year-old Elia, who suffered fourth-degree burns when overnight shelling set her house on fire, has been approved to leave Gaza for emergency treatment, but is still waiting because doctors said they fear they will soon have to amputate her remaining arm and leg if she is not medically evacuated.

“All of this took place against a backdrop of relentless bombing, as hospitals in Gaza were devastatedleaving them unable to care for the flood of child patients,” he warned, adding that medical staff repeatedly reported urgent shortages of essentials such as needles, plasters, and burn cream , intravenous fluids and pain medication along with important items such as wheelchairs, crutches, hearing aids. supporting devices, even batteries.

Rights experts say disability is overlooked

For those trapped in Gaza, the needs of people with disabilities are being pushed aside, independent United Nations human rights experts said on Friday.

Experts, who have previously raised these concerns with the Israeli government, said: “Many of the nearly 100,000 Palestinians injured in Gaza will suffer long-term disabilities that require rehabilitation, support, psychosocial support and other services are seriously lacking.”

Experts note that many evacuation orders completely disregard people with disabilities, who often have extreme difficulty following or understanding instructions.

They said Palestinians with disabilities face unavoidable risks when it comes to protection, including unavoidable death and injury, amid indiscriminate attacks by the occupation forces Israel has destroyed critical infrastructure and canceled humanitarian assistance capabilities.

“This impact goes beyond physical harm, with severe emotional and psychological damage, and affects the social fabric and needs of families and communities more broadly, especially especially affecting women who often bear the burden of care.”

Indiscriminate attack

Independent experts warn that people with disabilities are being killed and injured by indiscriminate attacks despite posing no security threat, an example of deliberate attacks on civilians. often Israelis, independent experts warn, who do not represent any government or organization and do not receive a salary for their work.

“They are in the impossible position of having to leave their homes and the support equipment they need to survive or remain without family and carers and face the risk of being killed,” they said. very high”. “During evacuation efforts, women and girls with disabilities in particular face greater dangers and more severe injuries.”

Increasing violence by Israeli settlers

Referring to the escalating violence by illegal Israeli settlers and Israeli forces, mass destruction of homes and roads as well as travel restrictions in the West Bank and Jerusalem, police experts reported that disabled Palestinians in those occupied territories were unable to access medical, rehabilitation and other services. essential services.

“Over the past year, Israel has violated its obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to take all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety for people with disabilities in all situations. risks, including armed conflict,” experts said.

They said the parties to the conflict must immediately accept a ceasefire. Experts also reiterated International Court of Justice (ICJ) July 2024 advisory opinion, which declared Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory illegal, leading to racial discrimination and apartheid.

“Israel must comply with its international obligations and the provisional measures ordered by the ICJ regarding its conduct in Gaza in order to prevent further acts of genocide,” experts said.