Jalandhar(01/11/2023): OCHA noted that the Israeli ground operation in northern Gaza and the outskirts of Gaza city has been gaining in intensity, alongside continuing bombardments.
Israeli airstrikes were reported on Tuesday on the densely populated Jabaliya neighbourhood north of Gaza City on Tuesday, which hosts the enclave’s largest refugee camp, home to some 116,000 people.
Addressing the issue of threats to journalists worldwide, UN chief António Guterres wrote on social platform X on Wednesday that the conflict in the Middle East is taking a “horrific toll” on them and called for better safeguards to “defend the journalists who are keeping us informed”.
UN human rights office OHCHR Expressed concern on Tuesday about reports of Palestinian journalists killed under Israeli bombardment and reiterated that journalists are civilians and should not be targeted, while military personnel targeting them, must be held to account.
israel gaza conflict can become global crisis: The war between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza has created a “global crisis” which demands international action before it spreads “far beyond the region” said the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator.
“This cannot go on. We need a step change”, added Martin Griffiths.
We need the hostages to be released immediately and unconditionally. We need to be able to provide the essentials for survival – particularly water, food, medicine and fuel – safely, immediately and at scale. The more than 200 trucks which have crossed into Gaza so far following painstaking negotiations offer some relief but are nowhere near enough.”
He said pauses must be agreed as the “only viable option to get relief items into Gaza right now.”
Israel, Hamas and other militants need to “respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by taking constant care in the conduct of military operations to spare civilians and civilian objects.”
Those international players with influence must use their diplomatic muscle to ensure respect for the rules of war to protect civilian life and “deescalate the conflict and avoid a spillover.”