UNRWA Commissioner-General: Civilians in Northern Gaza Strip are Given no Choice but to either Leave or Starve

UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, said that civilians in the northern Gaza Strip were given no choice but to leave the area or die of starvation. The health system has all but collapsed," he said in a post on X, stating: "We are not able to reach our teams due to telecommunications cuts. The UN has not been allowed to provide any assistance, including food since 30 September. The two crossing points into northern Gaza have been closed since." "Jabalia camp has been hit the most, some 50,000 people were forced to flee. Basic services, including from UNRWA, have been interrupted or forced to a halt including our UNRWA health center while only two water wells are operational," added Lazzarini. Such attacks, the sabotage of civilian infrastructure and the deliberate denial of critical assistance continue to be used as a tactic by the Israeli Authorities to force people to flee, he stressed. "International Humanitarian Law is clear: people cannot be displaced by force, civilians should be protecte d at all times and given access to basic necessities should they choose to stay." "In Gaza, too many red lines have been crossed. What might constitute war crimes can still be prevented," he added. The UNRWA Commissioner-General called for an immediate ceasefire. "It is not too late to show courage and humanity." Source: Qatar News Agency