15 UN, Humanitarian Organizations Urge Israel to Cease Gaza Assault

New York (Quds News Network)- The leaders of 15 United Nations and humanitarian organizations have called on Israel to cease its assault on Gaza and on the “humanitarians trying to help.”

The situation unfolding in North Gaza is “apocalyptic,” the organizations said in a statement issued on Friday.

“The area has been under siege for almost a month, denied basic aid and life-saving supplies while bombardment and other attacks continue.”

“Just in the past few days, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and thousands have once again been forcibly displaced.”

“Hospitals have been almost entirely cut off from supplies and have come under attack, killing patients, destroying vital equipment, and disrupting life-saving services.”

“Health workers and patients have been taken into custody. Fighting has also reportedly taken place inside hospitals.”

“Dozens of schools serving as shelters have been bombed or forcibly evacuated. Tents sheltering displaced families have been shelled, and people have been burned alive.”

“Rescue teams have been deliberately attacked and thwarted in their attempts to pull people buried under the rubble of their homes.”

“The needs of women and girls are overwhelming and growing every day. We have lost contact with those we support and those who provide lifesaving essential services for sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence.”

“And we have received reports of civilians being targeted while trying to seek safety, and of men and boys being arrested and taken to unknown locations for detention.”

“Livestock are also dying, crop lands have been destroyed, trees burned to the ground, and agrifood systems infrastructure has been decimated.”

“The entire Palestinian population in North Gaza is at imminent risk of dying from disease, famine and violence.”

“Humanitarian aid cannot keep up with the scale of the needs due to the access constraints. Basic, life-saving goods are not available. Humanitarians are not safe to do their work and are blocked by Israeli forces and by insecurity from reaching people in need.”

The organizations also slammed the Israeli Parliament over adopting a legislation that would ban UNRWA and revoke its privileges and immunities.

If implemented, “such measures would be a catastrophe for the humanitarian response in Gaza, diametrically opposed to the United Nations Charter, with potential dire impacts on the human rights of the millions of Palestinians depending on UNRWA’s assistance, and in violation of Israel’s obligations under international law.”

Let us be very clear: There is no alternative to UNRWA, the groups added.

“The entire region is on the edge of a precipice. An immediate cessation of hostilities and a sustained, unconditional ceasefire are long overdue.”