Israel’s latest deadly attack on the so-called “safe” zone, Al-Mawasi has received a lot of condemnation.
Bodies still being dug out of the tent city and the death toll expected to rise.
The United Nations Chief, Antonio Guterres denounced Israel’s air raids on an Israeli-designated “safe” zone in southern Gaza, calling the use of heavy weapons in a densely populated area “unconscionable.”
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that Guterres expressed deep alarm at the continuing loss of life in Gaza and reiterated no place in the territory is safe
He added that Guterres reiterated calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate and unconditional release of all captives taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Also, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) slammed Israel’s overnight attacks on al-Mawasi – an area it unilaterally designated a humanitarian zone and is filled with tents inhabited by internally displaced people in southern Gaza.
It stated that the Israeli military “continues to choose to use weapons with wide area effects in these increasingly densely populated areas despite the overwhelming evidence that these means and methods have led to disproportionate harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure, suggesting a complete disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians.”
This latest attack occurred in the same part of the alleged “humanitarian” zone, where at least 71 were killed in similar circumstances on July 13, 2024.
“This is despite the Israeli military continuing to order Palestinian civilians to evacuate there, including most recently on August 24,” it added.
Moreover, Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide condemned the attack on the al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis.
“All parties have an obligation to protect civilians in warfare. The presence of armed groups does not nullify the obligation to comply with international humanitarian law. The war must end.”
Espen Barth Eide
Denied Requests For Aid Trucks To Reach Northern Gaza Doubled
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that the number of requests for aid trucks to reach northern Gaza denied by the Israeli army doubled in August compared with previous months.
Tarik Jasarevic, a spokesperson for the WHO, told reporters that it was not an isolated incident.
“We have been trying to get to al-Shifa Hospital between September 7-10 for four times, and we were unable to. And we will try again today. So we really [are doing] our best, but this is a pattern,” he said.
Tarik Jasarevic
Jasarevic said that on Monday, Israeli forces stopped a convoy that included vehicles and fuel for the vaccination campaign, as well as a WHO team trying to get to al-Shifa Hospital and the mission had to be aborted.
Speaking at the same briefing, OCHA spokesperson, Jens Laerke said that only 74 out of 208 attempts to reach the north in August were facilitated.
Additionally, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Muhannad Hadi said that the United Nations and humanitarian organisations face “continuous obstruction and insecurity in their efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the devastated population in Gaza.”
Hadi cited an incident in which a team of twelve UN staff members, whose movement was coordinated with the Israeli military, was stopped on its way to North Gaza to support the third phase of the Gaza Strip-wide polio vaccination campaign.
Hadi added that after seven and a half hours at the checkpoint, the convoy returned to base without being able to fulfil its humanitarian mission to support the polio campaign.
“This incident highlights the ongoing dangers and obstacles humanitarian personnel face in Gaza.
“Despite daily coordination of humanitarian movements with the Israeli [military], our staff and assets were not provided with sufficient protection, hindering our work. Under international humanitarian law, such protection is mandatory.”
Muhannad Hadi
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