Deir el balah: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Trk, expressed grave concerns over the recent Israeli military actions in southwestern Deir El Balah in the Gaza Strip, stating that they have exacerbated the already dire situation for Palestinians in the region. Trk highlighted that the displacement orders and subsequent intensive attacks have compounded the challenges faced by the local population, who are already struggling with hunger and insecurity. "It seemed the nightmare couldn't possibly get worse. And yet it does," he remarked.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Trk emphasized in a statement that the Israeli airstrikes and ground operations are likely to result in more civilian casualties and the destruction of essential civilian infrastructure. He pointed out that the area's high population density, coupled with the military tactics employed by Israel, significantly increases the risk of unlawful killings and other severe breaches of international humanitarian law.
Trk also noted that the targeted area in Deir El Balah houses numerous humanitarian organizations, including medical facilities, shelters, and other critical infrastructure, all of which are now at risk. He stressed that the ongoing conflict has already led to the destruction of homes and forced thousands to flee, pushing them into increasingly crowded areas of Gaza. These conditions challenge the delivery of humanitarian aid, as even the supposedly safe zones are under threat.
The High Commissioner called on Israel, as the occupying power, to fulfill its obligations to ensure the provision of food, medical, and other necessary supplies to the population. He urged for an immediate cessation of military operations and for humanitarian aid to be allowed to reach those in need without conditions. The statement follows the Israeli army's expansion of ground operations in Deir al-Balah, which was preceded by evacuation warnings to tens of thousands of residents.
