The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said ground incursions and heavy fighting were also reported in Deir Al-Bala, central Gaza, as well as in Jabalia (north). Many of the families moving once again have already been displaced since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.
“Our colleagues at the UN Relief and Works Agency – UNRWA – said that to date, around 600,000 people – a quarter of Gaza’s population – have been displaced from Rafah since May 6 as the Israeli ground operation continues,” said the Deputy Spokesman of the UN Secretary General, Farhan Haq, during the press briefing at the headquarters of the international organization in New York.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said ground incursions and heavy fighting were also reported in Deir Al-Bala, central Gaza, as well as in Jabalia (north). Many of the families moving once again have already been displaced since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.
“Whether they move or stay, civilians in Gaza must be protected. All parties must respect international humanitarian law at all times. This also means that the basic needs of citizens – including food, shelter, water and health – must be met, wherever they are,” noted Mr Haq.
Access, Farhan Haq reports, to critical health services in Gaza continues to shrink as new evacuation orders are issued and military operations intensify.
“According to our partners, the Indonesian Hospital in Rafa is out of service as of today. There are now eight operational hospitals, including one just established by the International Committee of the Red Cross, in coordination with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, to help address the overwhelming scale of needs in Rafah,” Mr. Haq said.
The UN has been questioned about a video that appears to show gunman activity at a compound owned by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
UNRWA is unable to verify the authenticity or content of this video and has no information on the timing or exact location of the video.
The footage is believed to be from a UNRWA warehouse in Rafah that was evacuated during the week of May 6 following an evacuation order from Israeli authorities.
UNRWA staff were told to leave the facility for their own safety. In addition, UNRWA has condemned the use of UN facilities by any party to the conflict for military purposes, while the head of the agency has repeatedly called for an independent investigation and accountability for the flagrant disregard for the lives, facilities and operations of UN personnel.
The UN reiterated its call on all parties to the conflict to respect the sanctity and neutrality of UN facilities.
Source :Skai
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