Watan-The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Friday that Israel’s actions in Gaza—including airstrikes on populated areas where civilians have been killed—“bear the hallmarks” of atrocities. Jens Laerke, OCHA spokesperson in Geneva, stated: “There is a blatant disregard for human life and dignity. The acts of war we are witnessing bear the hallmarks of brutal crimes.”
Laerke added, “We are witnessing the daily killing of children and aid workers, along with forced displacement and no means of survival.” He pointed out that food and medical supplies are rapidly depleting, as Israeli authorities have blocked humanitarian aid from entering Gaza since March 2. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office said that no supplies or goods would be allowed into the Strip “until all remaining hostages are released.”
The World Food Programme said it has only 5,700 tons of food left in Gaza—enough to sustain operations for at most two weeks. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a severe shortage of blood supplies needed to treat the wounded in the Strip.
UN Warns of Escalation in Gaza, Scales Back Presence After Deadly Strike
The UN had already expressed concern after Israel resumed its war on Gaza on March 18, breaking the ceasefire agreement signed in January. On March 19, Virginia Gamba, the acting Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, and Mo Bleeker, the Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, issued a joint statement warning that “these developments signal a dangerous escalation of violence with irreversible consequences.”
They stressed that “in line with genocide prevention and the responsibility to protect frameworks, we urge all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians, take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions, prevent further loss of life, and engage in a robust political solution.” The statement expressed “deep shock at these developments.”
On Monday, the UN announced it would “scale back its presence” in Gaza after an Israeli tank shell hit one of its compounds on March 19, killing one staff member and injuring five others. Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, said the UN had made the difficult decision to reduce its presence in Gaza “despite rising humanitarian needs.” He confirmed that the UN “will not leave Gaza,” but did not provide further details on the impact of the decision.
Death Toll in Gaza Surpasses 50,000 as Aid Blocked and Displacement Grows
Since the resumption of Israeli military operations, 855 Palestinians have been killed and 1,869 injured as of Thursday, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza. This brings the total death toll from Israel’s war on the Strip since October 7, 2023, to 50,208 killed and 113,910 wounded.
Dujarric said Thursday that ongoing Israeli airstrikes, “evacuation orders,” and the continued blocking of humanitarian aid have worsened the situation in the Strip. He added, “Everything in Gaza is about to run out: time, life, and supplies—everything is running out.” He noted that renewed Israeli attacks have displaced 142,000 people and that “evacuation orders” have affected 17% of Gaza. He also emphasized that Israel continues to block UN humanitarian aid and persistently obstructs its delivery to those in need.
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