UN chief 'shocked by harrowing levels of death and destruction' in northern Gaza

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he is "shocked by harrowing levels of death, injury and destruction" in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, the UN chief noted on Sunday, "The plight of Palestinian civilians trapped in North Gaza is unbearable." 

"The Secretary-General is shocked by the harrowing levels of death, injury and destruction in the north, with civilians trapped under rubble, the sick and wounded going without life-saving health care, and families lacking food and shelter."

The spokesman said hundreds of people have been killed in recent weeks and more than 60,000 others were forced to flee.

Israel has waged a massive air and ground offensive in northern Gaza since early October. 

Hundreds of people have been killed and tens of thousands of Palestinians have fled to Gaza City in the latest wave of displacement. 

Aid groups have warned of a catastrophic situation in northern Gaza, which has suffered the heaviest destruction from the Israeli aggression. 

Israel has severely limited the entry of basic humanitarian aid in recent weeks, and the three remaining hospitals in the north say they have been overwhelmed by waves of wounded.

"Repeated efforts to deliver humanitarian supplies essential to survive -- food, medicine and shelter -- continue to be denied by the Israeli authorities, with few exceptions, putting countless lives in peril," 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."

Israeli forces kill 45 Palestinians during raids on N Gaza city

The Israeli regime’s forces carry out intense bombing raids against six buildings in the city of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza Strip, killing at least 45 people.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk and European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell have called on international leaders to take action to end “the human tragedy” taking place in northern Gaza. 

A “catastrophic level of killing, destruction and starvation” afflicts the people in the Gaza Strip as Israel’s military offensive continues, Borrell said Saturday.

“The too little information coming out from North Gaza still attests to a catastrophic level of killing, destruction and starvation, in addition to forced displacements of civilians while an entire population is under bombings, siege and risk of starvation, as well as being forced to choose between displacement or death,” the EU’s top diplomat said.

Israeli war crimes in Gaza not possible without Western support: Hamas

Israeli forces have breached a hospital compound in northern Gaza, where UN warns "darkest moment" is unfolding.

UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese also warned that the entire population of the Gaza Strip is at risk of dying in Israel's genocide.

Albanese said that 20,000 children are missing in Gaza, “some maimed beyond recognition. On top of the 17,000 killed in 12 months.”

Israel ethnically cleansing Jabalia

Many observers believe the regime is conducting a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing in the refugee camp.

The north is home to well over half of the population of 2.3 million. It was heavily bombed in the first phase of Israel’s barbaric campaign in October 2023.

Backed by the United States to the hilt, Israel keeps massacring Palestinians in Gaza. Since October 2023, it has killed close to 43,000 Palestinians. More than 100,000 are injured and in need of treatment which is tough to receive.
 

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