The United Nations Humanitarian Office (OCHA) reported that six attempts to deliver aid to northern Gaza have been blocked in the past two days.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, efforts were made to deliver food and water to ordinary Palestinians in Jabalia, Beit Hanun and Beit Lahiya, through the UN mission. In addition, psychosocial support was provided to children affected by violence and bombings over the past 13 months.
Civilians are trapped in residential buildings, trying to avoid military action, and are running out of food, said Louise Wateridge, senior emergency officer for the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
According to the United Nations, about 79 percent of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been ordered to evacuate. They are being sent to Al Mawasi area in southern Gaza where infrastructure and essential services are lacking.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages.
Since then, more than 43,000 Palestinians have lost their lives and more than 100,000 have been injured in Israeli military operations. 24 Palestinians were killed and 112 injured in the last 24 hours.
Condemnation of war methods
Meanwhile, a panel appointed by the United Nations General Assembly in its report condemned the Israeli army’s actions after the start of the war in Gaza.
The panel was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1968 to review the human rights situation in the West Bank, including the occupied Syrian Golan, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.
The report assessed the situation from October 2023 to July this year, according to which basic services including water and sanitation systems in Gaza have broken down, crops have been destroyed and toxic pollution is widespread.
During this period, 25 thousand tons of explosives were used in Gaza, which was equivalent to about two nuclear bombs at the beginning of 2024. Experts believe that many generations of Gazans may have to suffer the consequences.
According to the committee, Israel has deliberately caused death, starvation and serious injury by besieging the Gaza Strip, disrupting humanitarian aid and targeting civilians and aid workers, and has used starvation as a means of warfare.
This is despite mandatory orders from the International Court of Justice, Security Council resolutions and appeals issued by the United Nations.
Palestinian women mocked
The Committee expressed outrage at the inhumane treatment and cruel and degrading treatment of Palestinians, including women and children, by Israeli forces in Gaza.
There are allegations that Israeli soldiers have shared photos of Palestinian women on social media, mocking and insulting them.
The committee members – Malaysia, Senegal and Sri Lanka – called on Israel and Palestinian armed groups to agree to a ceasefire as soon as possible and ensure the release of all hostages.
Additionally, it is important to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross access to detention centers and to provide humanitarian assistance through border crossings.
The panel also condemned the disinformation campaign against the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and said there was a deliberate attempt to silence the media and reporting on the violent conflict in Gaza.
The panel’s report will be presented during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly on 18 November 2024.