UN Alarmed by Escalating Gaza Attacks, Warns of Atrocity Crimes


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The UN expressed deep concern over the intensified bombardment of Gaza by Israel, saying attacks on civilian infrastructure raise alarming questions about Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law, heightening the risk of atrocity crimes.

In the midst of these escalating hostilities, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs faces significant challenges. Despite aid trucks entering Gaza from Egypt with essential supplies, the UN's delivery capability is severely constrained due to ground conditions.

Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Rafah overwhelm available shelters, with limited aid distribution occurring exclusively in that region for three consecutive days. Additionally, over 10,000 displaced Palestinians seek refuge around Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabalia amid fierce fighting.

The Palestinian mission to the UN has urgently called on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to address Israel's non-compliance with international law. The mission emphasizes the need for the international community to prevent Israel from disregarding UN resolutions.

Despite the UNSC's adoption of a resolution on November 15, urging humanitarian pauses in Gaza, it has yet to use its powers to call for a legally-binding ceasefire. The letter was directed to Jose de la Gasca of Ecuador, holding the UNSC presidency for December.

Amid these developments, Israeli authorities have issued warnings to displaced people in specific Gaza locations to evacuate immediately.

COGAT, a branch of the Israeli regime’s defense ministry, instructs residents to move to shelters in the west of Khan Younis and the Nasser Medical Complex area, emphasizing the Israeli army's extreme force against Palestinian resistance movements.

With limited options for Palestinians to go anywhere, crossing into Egypt appears challenging due to the closure of the Rafah crossing for the past two days.

Over 1.5 million people are squeezed into a densely populated pocket of land, with streets and roads filled with evacuating individuals facing increasingly difficult living conditions.

Israeli war has killed at least 16,248 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7.