The United Nations has renewed its urgent call for a ceasefire in Gaza as the humanitarian crisis deepens amid ongoing violence. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini emphasized on Thursday that no part of Gaza has been safe since the war began in October 2023, describing the situation as catastrophic.
In a statement posted on social media, Lazzarini highlighted the devastating toll of recent attacks, including a deadly strike on Al Mawasi that killed and injured dozens. “Every day without a ceasefire will bring more tragedy,” he warned, reiterating that no humanitarian or “safe zones” exist in the besieged region.
UNRWA also criticized Israel’s continued prohibition of international media operations within Gaza, calling for unrestricted access for journalists to report freely. Meanwhile, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) expressed concern over the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) decision to suspend Al Jazeera’s operations in the occupied West Bank, citing allegations of incitement. OHCHR condemned the move as part of a broader trend of suppressing freedom of expression in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, urging the PA to uphold its international obligations.
Two UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts have condemned what they describe as a “blatant disregard” for health rights in Gaza. In a joint statement, Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng and Francesca Albanese detailed the dire consequences of attacks on healthcare facilities, including last week’s raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in North Gaza.
The hospital, one of the last operational facilities in the region, has suffered severe damage, and its director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, has been arbitrarily detained after reportedly refusing to abandon his patients and staff. The experts revealed harrowing accounts of extrajudicial killings near the hospital, including the death of a Palestinian man allegedly holding a white flag.
“The destruction of healthcare infrastructure and the targeting of medical personnel are violations of international humanitarian law,” the experts stated. They noted that over 1,057 Palestinian health professionals have been killed, with many others detained.
The UN experts called on Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately cease attacks on healthcare services, release detained medical workers, and uphold the right to health and life for all residents in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
“The heroic actions of Gaza’s medical staff stand in stark contrast to the global inaction that has allowed this crisis to persist,” they said, urging a swift end to the violence and a renewed commitment to humanitarian principles.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
