Norwegian Refugee Council Chief, Jan Egeland has decried the renewed carnage in the Gaza strip.
According to Egeland, the bombardment of Gaza “now ranks amongst the worst assaults on any civilian population in our time and age.”
He said, “Our colleagues in Gaza ask themselves a simple question: how is it that these atrocities are beamed across the world for all to witness, and yet so little is done to stop them?”
“Countries supporting Israel with arms must understand that these civilian deaths will be a permanent stain on their reputation. They must demand an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Gaza.”
Jan Egeland
Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazarrini confirmed that 130 staff have been killed in Gaza.
He stated on X, “No one is spared, a devastating and endless human tragedy.”
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) said that the resumption of hostilities has not only caused the loss of hundreds of lives but has made it “increasingly difficult” for humanitarian organisations “to stay safe, let alone provide the level of support people require.”
“Even in Rafah and Khan Younis, where people have been encouraged to flee to, daily bombardment continues to kill civilians and damage infrastructure,” Bob Kitchen, IRC Vice President for Emergencies said.
Kitchen noted, “Those already displaced face shortages of food and water and the outbreak of disease. UNRWA have already confirmed an outbreak of hepatitis A in one of their facilities.”
“The need for a ceasefire becomes more urgent as each hour passes, with more than two million Palestinians facing a humanitarian catastrophe,” Kitchen urged.
Most Intense Day Of Fighting
Meanwhile, a senior Israeli Commander stated that the army’s forces have been engaged in the heaviest day of fighting since the start of the ground war in Gaza.
“We are in the most intense day since the beginning of the ground operation,” said General Yaron Finkelman, who heads the army’s southern command.
It came as the Israeli army also said its troops were engaged in ground combat inside Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
The army said on X that it is operating in the centre of Jabalia refugee camp and the Shujayea district “and starting tonight also in the centre of Khan Younis.”
“Israeli forces are engaged in intense battles against Hamas fighters,” the army added.
The attacks across the Gaza Strip have not ceased for the last couple of hours.
The Israeli occupation forces attacked the Jabalia refugee camp, trying to infiltrate deeper.
Deir el-Balah, a town in the middle governate of the Gaza Strip, was widely attacked; a residential building was completely destroyed and more than 20 Palestinians were killed.
In the south, the attacks on Khan Younis city continued since the early hours of this morning.
More than 50 Palestinians were killed, and clashes and fire exchange erupted in the eastern areas between Hamas fighters and the occupation soldiers.
The majority of residents in Khan Younis city had fled and evacuated to Rafah, which has become a very densely populated area amid very limited humanitarian aid.