UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the relocation of Gaza residents from the north to the south as ordered by the Israeli military is extremely dangerous.
After days of airstrikes, Israeli military ordered the Palestinians in Gaza City to move south of the territory, said Guterres.
“Moving more than one million people, across a densely populated warzone, to a place with no food, water or accommodation, when the entire territory is under siege, is extremely dangerous – and simply not possible.”
Hospitals in southern Gaza are already at capacity and will not be able to accept thousands of new patients.
The health system is on the brink of collapse and morgues are overflowing.
Eleven healthcare staff have died while on duty and there have been 34 attacks on health facilities in the past few days, he said.
Later, Guterres walked into a Security Council meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The entire territory of Gaza faces water crisis as infrastructure is destroyed. And there is no electricity to power pumps and desalination plants, he added.
Guterres said the situation in Gaza has reached a dangerous new low.
The horrific attacks by Hamas on Israel killed more than 1,200 people and injured thousands more on Saturday.
Thereafter, intense Israeli bombardment of Gaza has already killed 1,800 people and injured thousands more, he noted.
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Guterres called for immediate humanitarian access throughout Gaza so that fuel, food and water can be provided to people in need.
The UN chief called for respect for international humanitarian law and human rights law and for the protection of civilians.
He also called for the immediate release of hostages in Gaza.
“It is imperative that all parties – and those with influence over them – do everything possible to achieve these steps,” Guterres said.
The UN chief also warned against hate speech stoked by the conflict around the world.
“Dehumanising language that incites violence is never accepted. I call on all leaders to speak out against antisemitism, anti-Muslim bigotry and hate speech of all kinds.
This is a time for the international community to come together to protect civilians.
They need to find a lasting solution to this unending cycle of death and destruction,” he said. (Xinhua)
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