UNICEF Warns of Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza amid Calls for Relocation
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Israel's call for Gaza residents to relocate within the enclave would create a humanitarian crisis, warned UNICEF Communication Officer Salim Oweis.
"If implemented, such appeals would cause an extreme complication of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, as there are approximately 1 million people in northern Gaza with nowhere to go and no safe places for them,"Oweis stated.
He emphasized the UN's call for the decision to be abandoned and for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza for distribution to children, families, and civilians.
Under international law, all parties to the conflict bear responsibility for protecting civilians and ensuring the safety of children, said Oweis. UNICEF continues to maintain a presence in Gaza, but the destruction of infrastructure has made their work increasingly challenging.
The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza has made it difficult for aid workers and organization staff to move around. Oweis called for a humanitarian truce and safe corridors to allow children and families access to much-needed aid.
In response to Israel's call for residents to evacuate southward, Hamas urged Gaza residents to ignore the warnings. The UN has called on Israel to rescind the evacuation order, citing the significant humanitarian impact such a displacement would cause.
On October 7 the Hamas resistance movement launched a large-scale attack from the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli regime then declared a state of war and launched retaliatory strikes on October 8. On October 9, Israel imposed a complete blockade on the Gaza Strip, home to over 2 million people, leading to a severe shortage of essential supplies. The Israeli attacks on Gaza have resulted in over 1,000 deaths and thousands of injuries.