Aid organizations warn of escalating humanitarian crisis after mass forced displacement in northern Gaza

NEW YORK: International aid organizations warned that Israel's new mass displacement orders targeting the remaining Palestinians of the northern Gaza Strip will worsen the already dire humanitarian situation in the north. Nineteen international aid organizations, including civil society groups from the UK, France, the US, and Switzerland released a joint statement warning that the growing conflict in northern Gaza will result in a humanitarian catastrophe. 'This move will worsen the already dire humanitarian situation in the north, and has prevented international and national humanitarian organizations from carrying out already very limited life-saving aid operations.' The joint statement stressed that nowhere in Gaza is safe for civilians, noting that given the severity of the needs, humanitarian actors must be able to distribute aid and continue their work, without the threat of displacement or military operations. UN humanitarians have warned that conditions in northern Gaza are deteriorating rapidly, with over 400,000 people facing Israeli evacuation orders amid ongoing airstrikes and ground operations. The joint statement warned that Israel ordered residents to flee through dangerous routes to already overcrowded areas. The undersigned aid organizations called for a permanent ceasefire, the protection of civilians and a scale up of humanitarian aid. Signatories: ActionAid The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) War Child Médecins du Monde France, Spain and Switzerland HelpAge International American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) Terre des Hommes Italia Danish Refugee Council (DRC) Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) Humanity and Inclusion/ Handicap International (HI) Middle East Children's Alliance (MECA) Save the Children CARE International Islamic Relief Plan International Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) Oxfam Premiere Urgence Internationale Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS) Source: Palestine news & Information Agency - WAFA