In recent developments, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed that in the past two days, six efforts to deliver essential aid to besieged areas in North Gaza have been obstructed. These missions, targeting Jabalia, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahiya, aimed to provide food, water, and psychosocial support to children traumatized by ongoing conflict.
Louise Wateridge, a senior emergency officer with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, with residents trapped in homes amid military operations and severe shortages of food and medical care, forcing the use of donkey carts to reach hospitals. Nearly 79% of Gaza is under evacuation orders, funneling people to areas lacking basic infrastructure.
The escalating conflict has resulted in over 43,736 deaths and 103,370 injuries since October 2023, with the UN General Assembly condemning Israeli military tactics. A panel report accused Israel of deploying around 25,000 tonnes of explosives, equating to two nuclear bombs, contributing to widespread destruction and health crises in Gaza. The report argues these actions resemble characteristics of genocide.
Furthermore, the panel criticized the Israeli military’s use of AI-assisted targeting and its failure to differentiate between civilians and combatants, resulting in severe civilian casualties. Accusations include using starvation as a war tactic and inflicting collective punishment on Gazans, despite international appeals and resolutions.
The UN Special Committee has reported instances of Israeli soldiers engaging in degrading behavior toward Palestinians, with social media platforms perpetuating this by sharing humiliating images. The committee, established to investigate human rights issues in occupied territories, urges for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid access.
Concerns were also raised about a smear campaign against UNRWA and increased media censorship in the region, targeting pro-Palestinian content. The committee’s findings will be shared at the UN General Assembly in November 2024, calling for global attention to the ongoing crisis.
Original Story https://news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2024/11/1156946
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