United Nations chief António Guterres said Sunday he was “shocked by the heartbreaking levels of deaths, injuries and destruction” in northern Gaza, where Israeli forces are carrying out attacks aimed at preventing the Hamas regrouping.
“The situation of Palestinian civilians trapped in northern Gaza is unbearable,” said Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres’ spokesman.
“The Secretary-General is shocked by the heartbreaking levels of death, injury and destruction in the north, with civilians trapped under rubble, the sick and injured without life-saving healthcare, and families without food and shelter.”
Israel, vowing to prevent Hamas militants from regrouping in northern Palestinian territory, launched a major air and ground assault on October 6 this year.
The UN spokesman said that, according to Gaza’s health ministry, hundreds of people have been killed in recent weeks and more than 60,000 others have been forced to flee.
“Repeated efforts to provide essential humanitarian supplies for survival – food, medicine and shelter – continue to be denied by the Israeli authorities, with few exceptions, endangering countless lives,” Dujarric said.
“In the name of humanity, the Secretary-General reiterates his calls for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and accountability for crimes under international law.”
Later on Sunday, Gaza Civil Defense Agency spokesman Mahmoud Bassal criticized Israel’s ongoing “siege” in the Jabalia, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia areas of northern Gaza, saying that 100,000 people were trapped.
“For 22 days, not a drop of water or bread has entered the northern Gaza Strip,” Bassal said in a statement.
“The occupation forces kill anyone who tries to provide services to residents of northern Gaza.”
Bilal al-Hajri, 25, a Beit Lahia resident, said the siege was sparking a “famine” in the area.
“We are really dying under a strict siege and famine,” he told AFP.
“None of us can leave our homes even to provide food and drink… anyone who leaves is targeted.”
The Israeli army has come under strong criticism for its operations in northern Gaza, where tens of thousands of civilians are trapped.
The army says the aim of the assault is to destroy operational capabilities that Hamas is trying to rebuild in the north.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, since the Israeli assault on Gaza, more than 42,800 people have been killed in the enclave.
Hamas’ which sparked the conflict, killed 1,200 people in Israel, including over 250 taken hostage.