Gaza: UN Secretary General condemns rising civilian casualties in the north
Israeli forces attacked tents sheltering displaced civilians near al Aqsa hospital, in an area where people from northern Gaza were asked to evacuate. At least four people were burned to death and dozens of others, including women and children, suffered severe burns.
Just hours earlier, another attack on a school in Nuseirat killed more than 20 people and injured many more, according to local reports.
“[The Secretary-General] strongly calls on all parties to the conflict to comply with international humanitarian law and emphasizes that civilians must always be respected and protected“, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said at a regular press conference in New York.
People are stuck
In the past two weeks, more than 50,000 people have relocate from the isolated Jabalia area, while others remain stuck in their homes amid increasing fighting and bombardment.
The military operation also forced the closure of water wells, bakeries, medical posts and shelters, as well as the suspension of security services, malnutrition treatment services and temporary learning spaces.
Hospitals also saw a series of trauma cases.
There is no end to the horror
Also on Monday, Joyce Msuya, acting United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, speak that thing “There seems to be no end to the horror that Palestinians in Gaza are forced to endure.”
She cited the strike near al Aqsa hospital and the school-turned-shelter in Nuseirat, stressing that “There is really no safe place in Gaza for people to go.”
“These atrocities must stop. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times.”
North Gaza ‘cut off’
Meanwhile, escalating violence in the region is having a disastrous impact on the food security of thousands of Palestinian families.
According to United Nations World Food Program (WFP), the main border crossings into northern Gaza have been closed and no food aid has flowed in since 1 October.
“The north was basically cut off and we couldn’t operate there,” said Antoine Renard, WFP Country Director for Palestine.
“WFP has been active since the crisis began. We are committed to providing life-saving food every day despite growing challenges, but without safe and sustainable access it is virtually impossible to reach those in need. ”
The agency’s last remaining food supplies in the north, including canned foods, flour, high-energy cookies and nutritional supplements, were distributed to shelters, medical and kitchen in Gaza City and three shelters in North Gaza.
WFP warns that if the conflict continues to escalate at its current scale, it is unclear how long this limited food supply will last and the consequences for families who have fled will be dire.
A shelter converted into a school in Jabalia, northern Gaza. (document)
Southern and Central Gaza
The situation in southern and central Gaza is also at a “breaking point” due to insecurity around crossing points, WFP added.
Food distribution has stopped completely and bakeries are struggling to secure flour supplies, leaving them at risk of closing any day. Some hot kitchens are still providing meals to those who can access them.
“As winter approaches, Gazans find themselves without adequate shelter, no fuel and very little aid,” WFP said, emphasizing the urgent need for safe access and sustainably to provide life-saving food assistance.
More crossing points must be kept open and security guaranteed for staff and partners working to deliver aid, the agency added.
