Northern Gaza faces imminent risk as UN calls situation "apocalyptic"

The situation in northern Gaza has been described as "apocalyptic" amid Israel's ongoing military offensive against Hamas militants in the region, according to senior UN officials.

In a statement signed by acting UN aid chief Joyce Msuya and heads of various UN agencies, including UNICEF and the World Food Program, it was noted that “the entire Palestinian population in the northern Gaza Strip is at imminent risk of death from disease, starvation, and violence”, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

Since launching a comprehensive military operation in northern Gaza last month, Israel's actions have come under scrutiny from the United States, which is monitoring whether its ally's approach amounts to a “starvation policy” in the area.

UN officials expressed concern that humanitarian aid is insufficient to meet the overwhelming needs due to access restrictions. They highlighted that “basic life-saving commodities are inaccessible,” and that the presence of Israeli troops and ongoing insecurity has made it unsafe for humanitarian workers to assist those in need.

The UN called on all parties engaged in the conflict to prioritize civilian safety and urged Israel to cease attacks on Gaza and humanitarian organizations attempting to deliver aid.

The escalation of violence in the region intensified on October 7, 2023, when Hamas, a radical Islamist movement recognized as a terrorist organization by both the European Union and the United States, launched a major offensive against Israel. This assault involved extensive rocket attacks and a ground incursion, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israeli civilians.

Hamas also took over 250 hostages into Gaza; while some have been released or exchanged, others have died, and 97 Israelis remain captive, with at least 30 confirmed deceased.

In response to the attack, Israel declared war on Hamas, leading to military operations in the Gaza Strip that, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, have resulted in over 42,000 Palestinian deaths.

By Tamilla Hasanova