Everyone in northern Gaza in 'imminent danger' of death, UN warns – National
The situation in the northern Gaza Strip is “catastrophic” as Israel pursues an offensive against Hamas militants in the area, top United Nations officials warned on Friday.
“All Palestinians in Northern Gaza are at high risk of death from disease, hunger and violence,” they said in a statement signed by acting UN aid chief Joyce Msuya, heads of UN agencies, including the UN children's agency UNICEF and World. Food Program, and other aid groups.
Israel began a wide-scale war in northern Gaza last month. The United States said it is looking to make sure that its partner's actions on the ground show that it does not have a “starvation policy” in the north.
“Humanitarian aid cannot keep up with the level of needs due to access problems. Basic, life-saving supplies are not available. People who help people are not safe to do their work and are prevented by the Israeli army and insecurity from reaching the people in need,” they said.
They called on all warring parties in Gaza to protect civilians and called on Israel to “stop its attacks on Gaza and the people trying to help them.”
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Israel's UN mission in New York declined to comment on the statement. Israel's UN ambassador Danny Danon last month told the Security Council that the issue in Gaza was not a lack of aid, saying that more than a million tons had been delivered last year. He accused Hamas of hijacking aid.
Hamas has repeatedly denied Israeli allegations that it has been stealing aid and says Israel is to blame for the shortfall.
On Monday, the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said about 100,000 people were displaced in Jabalia, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza without medical supplies or food. Reuters could not independently verify the number.
The head of USAID, Samantha Power, spoke with Israel's ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog on Friday as a deadline set by Washington expects Israel to improve the situation or face possible restrictions on aid to the American military.
Power and Herzog “discussed the need for more aid to the Palestinian people,” USAID spokesman Benjamin Suarato said, adding: “Administrator Power expressed deep concern about the humanitarian situation in northern Gaza.”
The United States told Israel in a letter on October 13 that it must take action within 30 days.
–Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Edited by Alistair Bell
