Catherine Russell said she was dismayed by the reported murder of 15 Palestinians, including nine children and four women, waiting for nutritional supplements provided by Project Hope, a Unicef partner organization.
The incident occurred in Deir al-Balah. 30 other people were injured, including 19 children. The reports indicate that this results from a strike from Israel.
“Mothers looking for a life buoy”
“The murder of families trying to access vital aid is unacceptable,” she said in a declaration.
“” They were mothers looking for a lifeline for their children after months of hunger and despair. “”
They understood Donia, whose one -year son, Mohammed, was killed. She reported that the boy had given her his first words a few hours earlier.
“Donia is now in a hospital bed, seriously injured by the explosion, hugging Mohammed’s tiny shoe,” said Russell. “” No parent should face such a tragedy. “”
A “cruel reality”
For the head of UNICEF, “it is cruel reality confronted with many in Gaza today after months of insufficient assistance authorized in the territory, and the parties to the conflict that did not comply with fundamental responsibilities to protect civilians.”
She explained that “The lack of help means that children face famine while the risk of famine develops“, Warning that” the number of children in malnutrition will continue to increase until help and services that save lives are taken up on a large scale. »»
“International law is clear: all parties to the conflict have the obligation to protect civilians and guarantee the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid,” she said.
“We call on Israel to urgently examine its commitment rules to ensure full compliance with international humanitarian law, in particular the protection of civilians, including children, and to conduct an in -depth and independent investigation into this incident and all the allegations of violations.”
Not condemns murders
The UN has once again condemned the murder of civilians in Gaza, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said journalists in New York.
In addition, the United Nations Humanitarian Affairs Office Ochha “Emphasizes that the parties are bound by international humanitarian law to prevent excessive death and wounds of civilians in the middle of the war,” he added.
OCHA reported that another strike would have struck the office of a humanitarian partner in Gaza City on Thursday. Three employees were killed.
Flowing fuel
Mr. Dujarric has also updated journalists on the disastrous situation of fuel in Gaza, which has an impact both the population and the humanitarian workers.
A United Nations team managed to integrate around 75,000 liters of Israel in the besieged enclave on Wednesday, marking the first layout of this type in 130 days.
However, he warned that the fuel is still exhausted and that the services stop if higher volumes do not immediately enter.
Risk water services
“” We and our humanitarian partners need hundreds of thousands of liters of fuel every day to maintain essential rescue and survival operationsThis means that the amount seized yesterday is not enough to cover even a day of energy needs, “he said.
An aid partner indicated that fuel shortages could soon cut the drinking water supply to around 44,000 children, he added, which would further increase the risk of cholera, diarrhea, dysentery and other water diseases.
Meanwhile, the UN partners providing education services said that between October 2023 and June, 626 temporary learning areas were created in Gaza, with 240,000 students registered, or about half of the girls.
However, Only 299 spaces are currently operational Due to current travel orders, financing gaps and other challenges.
Humanitarian workers are also hungry
The humanitarian partners of Gaza-who include the first stakeholders, health workers and humanitarian workers-“continue to provide food and other people in intolerable conditions, and they are themselves confronted with hunger,” said Dujarric.
“A number of our own colleagues are also faced with hunger. They also face water shortage and threats to their personal safety, like everyone in Gaza, “he added.
The spokesman reiterated the long-standing message from the UN according to which “this catastrophic situation must end”. He stressed that “a cease-fire is not only urgent, it has been expected for a long time”, while calling for unconditional and immediate release of all hostages.
Some Palestinians were forced to flee their houses in the West Bank.
West Bank operations
Mr. Dujarric also discussed the situation in the West Bank, where the humanitarian workers report and continue to warn the intensification of Israeli operations in the northern areas.
“” These operations cause mass destruction, resulting in other humanitarian needs And to alleviate the hopes of thousands of displaced families that they may go home, “he said.
“Meanwhile, attacks, harassment and intimidation of Israeli settlers against the Palestinians have become a daily reality. »»
He cited an attack on settlers on July 3 which led to the displacement of the community of eastern Bedouins of Mu’arrajat in central West Bank.
“It is the Ninth community to be fully moved In the regions of Ramallah and Jericho since January 2023 following the recurring attacks of the Israeli settlers. »»
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
