Gaza 'carnage' must end: UN aid chief
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In a statement, Martin Griffiths says, "The world continues to watch in shock as hospitals come under fire, premature babies die, and an entire population is deprived of the basic means of survival."
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People gather around the bodies of Palestinians killed in a strike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in central Gaza after they were transported to Al-Shifa Hospital. (AFP)
The UN humanitarian head requested prompt action to "rein in the carnage" in Gaza on Wednesday, suggesting a proposal to assist in alleviating the crisis in the Palestinian Strip.
In a statement, Martin Griffiths expressed that the carnage "reaches new levels of horror every day," while "the world continues to watch in shock as hospitals come under fire, premature babies die, and an entire population is deprived of the basic means of survival."
Griffiths expressed that "this cannot be allowed to continue."
He proposed a 10-point proposal to assist in alleviating the humanitarian crisis, including a request for a ceasefire.
After the Israeli occupation forces raided Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza, Griffiths posted on X that he was appalled, stressing that "hospitals are not battlegrounds."
I'm appalled by reports of military raids in Al Shifa hospital in #Gaza.
— Martin Griffiths (@UNReliefChief) November 15, 2023
The protection of newborns, patients, medical staff and all civilians must override all other concerns.
Hospitals are not battlegrounds.
Israeli occupation forces have converted Al-Shifa Hospital into a military barracks, handcuffing a large number of its attending doctors and indiscriminately opening fire throughout the health facility as they storm patient wards without constraints, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported on Wednesday.
The United Nations estimates that at least 2,300 people -- patients, staff, and displaced civilians -- are inside the hospital and may be unable to escape because of fierce fighting.
Griffiths emphasized in his statement that the United Nations and its partners in Gaza were "committed to responding to the mounting humanitarian needs, guided, as always, by the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence."
On Monday, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that nearly all hospitals in northern Gaza are non-operational due to a shortage of electricity, medical supplies, and oxygen, as well as a lack of food and water, exacerbated by ongoing bombardments and raids.
Griffiths urged those with influence to implement his plan, which also urges the release of Israeli hostages and includes a $1.2 billion appeal for aid to Gaza.
Humanitarian organizations needed to be able to "deliver aid throughout Gaza without impediment or interference," he expressed.
"The world must act before it is too late," the head warned.
Coincidently, the UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini warned that by the end of the day, 70% of Gazans will not have clean water.
He also pleaded with "Israel" to "immediately authorize the delivery of the needed amount of fuel" for humanitarian operations.
“It is appalling that fuel continues to be used as a weapon of war. For the past five weeks, UNRWA has been pleading to get fuel in support of the humanitarian operation in Gaza. This seriously paralyzes our work and the delivery of assistance to the Palestinian communities in Gaza," Lazzarini stressed.
Today, @UNRWA received just over 23,000 litres of fuel to the #GazaStrip
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) November 15, 2023
It can't be used for the overall humanitarian response, including medical & water facilities or the work of @UNRWA
It is appalling that fuel continues to be used as a weapon of war.https://t.co/inDNNRACMD
