As the conflict between Israel and Gaza intensifies, more residents in North Gaza are being ordered to evacuate, further exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the latest directive requires civilians in the Al-Bureij area of the Deir al Balah governorate to move westward. This move comes in retaliation to ongoing rocket fire into Israel, leading to heightened tensions and instability in the region.
Efforts by the United Nations to coordinate the safe movement of humanitarian workers have faced significant hurdles. According to OCHA, out of ten coordination attempts on Friday, six were outright rejected by Israeli authorities. Only two attempts proceeded fully, while the remaining two encountered serious impediments, including the rejection of plans to deliver essential supplies to besieged areas of North Gaza.
The humanitarian crisis is escalating rapidly, with most residents of the Gaza Strip being displaced multiple times due to intense bombardments. Many are forced to flee their homes with minimal belongings, seeking refuge in unsafe areas that lack basic necessities for survival.
World Health Organization (WHO) data highlights the severity of the situation, noting that since October 2023, over 5,300 patients have been evacuated abroad for medical treatment, with more than 12,000 awaiting evacuation. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the long-term challenges, stating, \"It would take 5-10 years to evacuate all these critically ill patients, including thousands of children. In the meantime, their conditions get worse and some die.\"
Despite facing potential operational bans, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) remains committed to supporting Palestinians in Gaza. Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini highlighted UNRWA's extensive efforts, including providing 6.7 million medical consultations, mental health support to 730,000 people, and vaccinating 560,000 children against polio. Additionally, nearly 2 million people have received food assistance, and hundreds of thousands have found shelter in UNRWA facilities.
OCHA warned that the impending ban on UNRWA’s operations would lead to immense suffering for those already enduring extreme hardship. Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, reiterated that under international law, if UNRWA cannot fulfill its mandate, Israel, as the occupying power, would be responsible for these humanitarian duties.
As the situation remains volatile, the international community continues to watch closely, hoping for a resolution that can alleviate the suffering of Gaza's civilians.
Reference(s):
Israel orders more evacuations in Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens
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