UNRWA Urges Truce Amid Dire Humanitarian Crisis in Northern Gaza
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has urgently called for a temporary truce in northern Gaza, highlighting the catastrophic humanitarian situation as Israeli forces continue their offensive. Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini reported that the area is in a state of despair, with many residents feeling abandoned and hopeless. He stated that the humanitarian needs are critical, with shortages of food, water, and medical supplies affecting those injured in the ongoing conflict.
Lazzarini's statement on social media described the grim reality faced by civilians, where bodies are left in the streets or buried under debris. He emphasized the necessity of a safe humanitarian corridor, even if only for a few hours, to allow families to escape the violence and seek refuge in safer areas. Despite the chaos, UNRWA staff have remained in the region, attempting to provide assistance amid heavy bombardment and attacks on their facilities.
Health officials have reported a significant death toll, with over 20 casualties from recent Israeli airstrikes, and rescue operations hampered by the ongoing violence. The Director General of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Munir al-Barash, expressed the harrowing conditions faced by medical teams, stating that they are unable to treat the wounded and lack basic supplies, including burial shrouds for the deceased. The humanitarian crisis has escalated since the onset of intensified Israeli attacks on October 5, with reports indicating over 143,000 Palestinian casualties, primarily among children and women, resulting in widespread destruction and famine across the region.
