Israel called on all Palestinians in northern Gaza to leave for the south, saying it wanted to prevent civilian deaths. As a result, many people fled.
According to the United Nations, there are approximately 1.4 million people stranded in the Gaza Strip, out of a population of approximately 2.4 million. They cannot leave the area that has been subjected to intense bombardment because all borders are closed.
UNRWA itself is also suffering from conflict. A total of 35 UNRWA staff were killed. The refugee organization also reports that forty of its buildings were hit during several air strikes on Gaza.
Concerns are growing about the humanitarian situation in Gaza as a result of the bombing. The United Nations Children’s Rights Fund (UNICEF) estimates that nearly 2,400 children have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of this month. UNICEF describes this number as “astonishing.” Regional Director Adele Khader speaks of “a growing stain on the conscience of the international community.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said there are “clear human rights violations” in the Gaza Strip. Israel responded very critically to this. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, said that Israel would refuse to grant visas to UN officials.
