Situation in northern Gaza is ‘apocalyptic,’ UN leaders warn

The situation in northern Gaza is “apocalyptic,” a group of 15 United Nations heads warned Friday.

A letter signed by leaders from UN organizations including OCHA, the UN’s humanitarian affairs body, UNHCR, the UN’s high commissioner for refugees, and the World Health Organization (WHO), warns that “the entire Palestinian population in North Gaza is at imminent risk of dying from disease, famine and violence.”

Northern Gaza has been under siege by the Israeli military for almost a month. Hundreds of people have been killed, hospitals have been hit, and schools sheltering displaced families have been attacked.

People are desperate for food because “livestock are also dying, crop lands have been destroyed, trees burned to the ground, and agrifood systems infrastructure has been decimated,” the letter stated.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it launched operations after detecting Hamas members in the area at the beginning of October. The IDF has said it is “doing everything possible to avoid causing harm to uninvolved civilians.”

The UN leaders called on Israel to “cease its assault on Gaza and on the humanitarians trying to help,” adding that the area has been “denied basic aid and life-saving supplies while bombardment and other attacks continue.”

“International humanitarian law, including the rules of distinction, proportionality and precautions, must be respected,” the letter said. International humanitarian law obligations “do not depend on reciprocity. No violation by one party ever releases the other from its legal obligations,” it said.

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