Martin Griffiths, the UN's humanitarian chief, painted a bleak and tragic picture of the situation in Gaza, saying that his colleagues have seen "scenes of absolute horror" there.
Griffiths, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, conveyed through UN staffers who managed to reach northern Gaza that what they witnessed was indescribably horrific; Bodies were left lying in the streets, and individuals, showing clear signs of starvation, were stopping trucks in search of anything to survive.
Griffiths mentioned that humanitarian relief facilities have been targeted by Israeli forces, which posed a significant risk to humanitarian aid workers. He added that his team's efforts to send humanitarian convoys to the northern part of the sector were met with delays and rejections amidst impossible conditions, putting the safety of relief workers at risk.
He explained that many people no longer have homes to return to, with shelters in the sector housing far more individuals than they can accommodate.
Griffiths highlighted that shelter centers have overflowed, and water and food are on the verge of running out. He noted that 134 facilities run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) have been bombed, killing 148 UN staff members.
He said that the health system is on the brink of collapse, with women unable to give birth safely, children unable to be vaccinated, infectious diseases on the rise, and people seeking refuge in hospital courtyards.
Griffiths expressed dismay at the evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military, emphasizing that airstrikes concentrated on places civilians were told to go to. He added that there is no safe place in Gaza, and a dignified human life is virtually impossible.
Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, stated that the mass forced displacement began on October 12th following an Israeli administrative order to evacuate the northern part of Gaza.
Tichy-Fisslberger stressed the importance of not preventing the return of Palestinians who were forcibly removed from Gaza, indicating that strong guarantees must be provided to enable these people to return to their homes.
Since October 7th, the Israeli military has launched a devastating war on Gaza that has left 23,708 martyrs and 60,005 injured, most of whom are children and women, along with massive destruction to infrastructure and an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
