Title: UN Condemns Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The United Nations has strongly denounced the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where over 1,000 people—including women and children—have reportedly been killed since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas collapsed on 18 March.
Speaking at the UN’s daily press briefing, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric expressed deep concern over the intensification of Israeli military operations, which have led to massive destruction and the displacement of over 100,000 Palestinians from Rafah in just the past two days. Many of those displaced had already been forced to flee multiple times before.
Attack on Medical Convoy
UN Secretary-General António Guterres was described as “shocked” by the 23 March Israeli attack on a medical and emergency convoy in Gaza, which killed 15 health workers and humanitarian staff. Dujarric emphasized that international humanitarian law mandates the protection of medical and relief personnel at all times, and called for an end to the obstruction of life-saving assistance.
Since October 2023, at least 408 aid workers—including 280 UN staff—have been killed in Gaza.
Call for Immediate Ceasefire
Dujarric reaffirmed Guterres’ demand for a thorough, independent investigation into the targeting of humanitarian workers and installations. While the UN strongly condemned the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, it also rejected all forms of collective punishment against the Palestinian population. The Secretary-General urged for the immediate reinstatement of the ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian access across Gaza.
Rejection of Territorial Changes
Responding to Israel’s stated intentions to take over more land in Gaza, Dujarric cited Security Council resolution 2735 (2024), which explicitly forbids any attempts to alter Gaza’s demographic or territorial status. The UN warned against inflammatory rhetoric promoting the expansion of Israeli military security zones, as this undermines peace and stability.
UNRWA Building Targeted
Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), reported that an UNRWA facility in Jabalia—formerly a health center—was shelled by Israeli forces. The building, which had already sustained damage earlier in the conflict, was providing shelter to over 700 civilians at the time and reportedly included among the casualties nine children, one of whom was a two-week-old infant.
“Even ruins have become a target,” Lazzarini commented, noting that displaced families remained in the shelter because they had nowhere else to go.
Attacks on UN Premises
Lazzarini further stated that more than 300 UN buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed since the conflict began, despite their coordinates being shared with all parties. Over 700 people have died in these locations while seeking UN protection.
He also acknowledged credible reports that various UNRWA sites have been misused for military purposes by both Palestinian armed factions and Israeli forces. Nevertheless, he described the continuing attacks on UN operations as a “profound defiance of international law” and called for full independent investigations into all incidents.
Gaza Described as “A Death Trap”
Jonathan Whittall, Acting Director of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, painted a harrowing picture of life in Gaza, calling it a “war without limits.” Speaking via video link from Deir Al-Balah, he detailed the discovery of a mass grave of humanitarian workers in Rafah—paramedics who were killed in uniform while attempting to save lives.
Whittall described the current situation as an “endless loop of blood, pain, and death,” emphasizing that Gaza has become a death trap. He noted that 64 percent of the territory is now under active displacement orders by Israel.
Aid Blockade Deepens Crisis
Whittall also highlighted that Gaza has been under a full aid blockade for over a month, with food, medical supplies, and commercial goods completely inaccessible. “Nowhere and no one is safe,” he said, adding that some colleagues have expressed a desire to die with their families rather than face the horror alone.
The region’s humanitarian infrastructure is on the verge of total collapse: UN-backed bakeries have shut down, marketplaces have been obliterated, ambulance teams are being killed, and those who rely on humanitarian aid are increasingly left with nothing.
Political Solutions Needed
Whittall stressed that the crisis cannot be solved through humanitarian assistance alone, and that a lasting solution requires political will and accountability. He emphasized that the suffering of the Palestinian people must not be normalized or ignored.
Ending the Cruelty
In a powerful closing, Whittall warned that the consequences of the Gaza conflict extend beyond its borders. He urged Member States to uphold international law and use every means—political, diplomatic, and economic—to bring an end to
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