With shelters unsafe, Israel must protect Gaza civilians seeking safety: UN
ANKARA – The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has called on Israel to protect civilians who are seeking shelter across the Gaza Strip, adding that the agency shelters in Gaza can no longer be seen as safe.
In a statement, the agency said: “UNRWA calls on the Israeli Authorities to protect all civilians who have been sheltering in UNRWA premises across the Gaza Strip including those in northern Gaza and Gaza city.”
“Despite the (Israeli) order to evacuate more than 1 million from Northern Gaza and Gaza city to the south, many people – pregnant women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities – will not be able to flee the area,” the agency stressed, referring to an order Israel issued on Friday to evacuate northern Gaza.
“They have no choice and must be protected at all times,” it added, stressing: “Wars have rules.”
The agency stressed that “civilians, hospitals, schools, clinics and UN premises cannot be a target.”
The agency also said it is “sparing no effort to advocate with parties to the conflicts to meet their obligations under international law to protect civilians including those seeking refuge in UNRWA shelters.”
UNRWA shelters in Gaza and Northern Gaza are “not safe anymore,” it said.
“This war should be no exception – protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure including UN buildings applies to this conflict too,” the agency said.
In a dramatic escalation of tensions, a week ago Israeli forces launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to Hamas’ Operation Al-Aqsa Flood that was in retaliation for the repeated storming of the sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.
Israel’s disproportionately aggressive response has extended to cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, worsening the living conditions in an area that has endured a crippling siege since 2007.
Over 3,500 people have been killed since the outbreak of the conflict on October 7.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
