UN aid chief warns of 'apocalyptic' consequences of shortages in Gaza
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Martin Griffiths says battles near the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem crossings in Gaza's south following the Israeli invasion "effectively blocked" crucial lines.
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A Palestinian boy carries a toddler in an alley in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, May 15, 2024. (AFP)
The UN humanitarian assistance chief has warned that "Israel's" continued starvation and blockade of humanitarian aid delivery in the beleaguered Gaza Strip might have "apocalyptic" outcomes.
On Sunday, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths stated that "Israel's" airstrikes on Rafah have cut vital assistance crossings, resulting in gasoline, food, and medical shortages in Gaza.
Griffiths warned that if fuel runs out and the aid cannot reach the people who desperately need it, famine will no longer be "looming but present," which is going to be "hard, difficult, and apocalyptic."
He also estimated that 50 trucks of supplies per day may reach the hardest-hit areas north of Gaza via the restored Erez gate. However, battles near the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem crossings in Gaza's south following the Israeli invasion "effectively blocked" crucial lines.
"So aid getting in through land routes to the south and for Rafah, and the people dislodged by Rafah is almost nil," Griffiths reported.
The UN Under-Secretary-General said the aggression in Rafah was "exactly what we feared it would be," as gasoline, food, and medical supplies ran out, adding that the operation is a "disaster" for those who have been relocated four or five times to the area.
The UN reported on Saturday that 800,000 Palestinians have been "forced to flee" "Israel's" assault on Rafah.
According to a statement published on Sunday by the Gaza Government Media Office, "Israel's" blockade of the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem borders for the 13th consecutive day is blocking 3,000 assistance vehicles from entering the territory and preventing 690 patients from getting treatment abroad.
"Israel also prevents the entry of fuel into hospitals and agencies that provide humanitarian services which doubles the deep humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip," the statement detailed.
The office also reported the "collapse of the healthcare system and the targeting, destruction, burning, and complete incapacitation of hospitals."
The statement held the Israeli occupation, the US administration, and the European Union accountable for the current genocide, which has killed over 35,456 Palestinians and injured over 79,476 of them.
Israeli genocide persists: Dozens martyred, scores wounded
Israeli occupation forces continue their aggression on various areas of the Gaza Strip for the 226th day, resulting in more civilian casualties.
In a related development, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) launched a series of airstrikes on various areas in northern Gaza amid fierce confrontations between Resistance fighters and the IOF, which is attempting to expand its invasion into the area.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported that Jabalia witnessed the highest rate of casualties in recent days. He added that fresh airstrikes targeted the gate of a makeshift shelter in the camp, killing 15 people and injuring more than 35. Our reporter also mentioned that the victims were transported to Kamal Adwan Hospital.
IOF artillery targeted the Sheikh Zayed area and Kalibo Hill in northern Gaza, with Israeli aircraft striking near Kamal Adwan Hospital.
In central Gaza, airstrikes hit a newly established camp north of Nuseirat, killing 18 Palestinians and injuring others.
Gaza Civil Defense: Despite relentless bombing near the workplace, our crews managed to recover 10 casualties and numerous injuries after Israeli warplanes targeted several homes in the vicinity of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/akmszwM9Bb
— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) May 19, 2024
Furthermore, Israeli aircraft targeted a residence owned by the Awad family near al-Safa Mosque in al-Bureij camp in central Gaza.
Palestinian media also confirmed six fatalities from an Israeli airstrike on a residence on Yaffa Street in the al-Daraj neighborhood of eastern Gaza City.
Israeli claims of 'safe', 'humanitarian' zones 'false': UNRWA chief
Over 800,000 Palestinians have been forced to flee yet again to "so-called safe zones" since "Israel" began its incursion in Rafah, UNRWA Chief Philippe Lazzarini said on Saturday.
He lamented the numerous times that the people of Gaza have been forcibly displaced in a post on X, leaving them exposed and without "safe passage or protection," detailing how every time, they have to leave everything behind and begin their lives anew.
To make matters worse, he noted that most areas that people are fleeing to now lack safe water or sanitation and even basic emergency humanitarian assistance.
The moment Israeli warplanes carried out a massive airstrike in the vicinity of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/VcoG7dAcH4
— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) May 19, 2024
Lazzarini added that al-Mawassi, which he described as a sandy 14-kilometer land with "little to no buildings or roads" and lacking "minimal conditions to provide emergency humanitarian assistance in a safe and dignified manner," held some 400,000 people before the invasion of Rafah.
"The humanitarian community does not have any more supplies to give out, including food and other basic items. "
In addition, he emphasized that lack of fuel, unstable telecommunication, and continued airstrikes render the much-needed delivery of aid "almost impossible".
Lazzarini urged the reopening of crossings and safe access to the same routes, citing that if they are not reopened, "the deprivation of assistance and catastrophic humanitarian conditions will persist."
