A group of 15 United Nations heads has issued a dire warning about the situation in northern Gaza, describing it as 'apocalyptic.' The leaders from various UN organizations, including OCHA, UNHCR, and WHO, have raised concerns about the imminent risk of disease, famine, and violence facing the entire Palestinian population in North Gaza.
For almost a month, northern Gaza has been under siege by the Israeli military, resulting in hundreds of casualties, including attacks on hospitals and schools housing displaced families. The lack of access to food has exacerbated the crisis, with livestock dying, crop lands destroyed, and essential infrastructure decimated.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have stated that their operations in the area were initiated after detecting Hamas members in early October. While the IDF claims to be taking precautions to minimize harm to civilians, the UN leaders have called for an immediate cessation of the assault on Gaza and humanitarian aid workers.
The UN leaders emphasized the importance of upholding international humanitarian law, including principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions. They stressed that legal obligations must be respected by all parties involved, regardless of any violations committed by others.
The plea from the UN comes as a stark reminder of the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in northern Gaza and the imperative for all parties to prioritize the protection of civilian lives amidst the ongoing conflict.
