Israeli authorities deny humanitarian missions to reach northern Gaza, says UNRWA chief

The Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, said that the Israeli authorities continue to deny humanitarian missions to reach the north (of Gaza) with critical supplies, including medicine and food for people under siege. "Hospitals have been hit and are left without power while injured people are left without care," Lazzarini said Monday in a post on his official X account. "UNRWA remaining shelters are so overcrowded, some displaced people are now forced to live in the toilets," Lazzarini added. He noted that according to reports, people attempting to flee are getting killed, their bodies left on the street. Missions to rescue people from under the rubble are also being denied. Humanitarian agencies, including UNRWA, must get access to north Gaza. He further added, "Denying and weaponizing humanitarian assistance to achieve military purposes is a sign of how low the moral compass is." The UN Human Rights Office said that the Israeli army's resumption of attacks on two of the three main hosp itals in northern Gaza has caused increased pressure on the civilian population, while these hospitals are suffering from a lack of supplies and fuel. The occupation imposes direct and indirect restrictions and launches attacks on rescue teams and medics operating in Gaza, hindering life-saving operations, including the recovery of Palestinians trapped under the rubble. The Human Rights Office also noted that internet services in northern Gaza have been disrupted since October 19, and at least three Palestinian journalists have been martyred in the past two weeks, limiting the information available on the conditions of life in northern Gaza. The UN office called on Israel to immediately announce the identity of all detainees and ensure their access to their lawyers and families, emphasizing that all parties must respect and protect civilians. The UN Human Rights Office reminded the occupying state of Israel of the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice on January 26, 2024, to t ake all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts falling within the scope of Article II of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in relation to the Palestinians in Gaza. Source: Jordan News Agency