The situation in northern Gaza is reminiscent of an “apocalyptic” image and all its residents are in “imminent danger of death”, officials from major UN humanitarian agencies have said.

“The entire Palestinian population of northern Gaza is in imminent danger of dying from disease, starvation and violence“, the 15 signatories write, demanding that “the State of Israel cease its attack on Gaza and against humanitarian aid workers”.

Israeli forces launched a large-scale, high-intensity operation in the northern Gaza Strip last month, claiming they want to prevent Hamas from rebuilding fighting units.

The US has said it is monitoring Israel’s military operation to ensure its ally does not implement a “starvation policy” in the northern Gaza Strip.

“The region has been under siege for almost a month, deprived of basic aid and vital goods, while shelling and other attacks continue“, complains in a press release the Interagency Standing Committee of the UN, which brings together UN agencies and other humanitarian NGOs.

“In the past few days alone, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and thousands more have been forcibly displaced again,” said officials, including the heads of the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR ), UNICEF, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid and also Oxfam. This call follows many others – and from US authorities – asking Israel to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered to avoid an even greater disaster than the Palestinian enclave, which has been under siege for more than a year and is tested by the daily bombardments and fierce battles.

“This blatant disregard for the basic principles of humanity and the laws of war must end,” the officials stress.

Humanitarian aid cannot meet the scale of needs due to the restrictions imposed, the press release insists.

“There are no basic necessities available. Aid workers cannot do their work safely and are prevented by Israeli forces and insecurity from reaching people in need.”

The officials, who are demanding the immediate release of the hostages kidnapped in Israel on October 7, 2023 and the Palestinians held illegally, also appealed to states not to transfer weapons “when there is a clear risk that these weapons will be used in violation of international law ».

A call especially to the USA, which has not yet reacted.

Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon told the Security Council last month that the issue in Gaza is not a lack of aid, saying more than a million tonnes had been delivered over the past year. He accused Hamas of stealing aid.

Hamas has repeatedly rejected Israeli claims that it is stealing aid coming to the enclave and says Israel is responsible for the shortages.

On Monday, Palestinian civil protection said about 100,000 people were trapped in Jabalia, Beit Lahiyya and Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza without medical supplies or food.