ANKARA: The United Nations (UN) top humanitarian aid official warned on Saturday that, amid a rapidly deteriorating situation and a fierce, weeks-long push by the Israeli army, "the entire population of North Gaza is at risk of dying," Anadolu Agency reported.
"Hospitals have been hit and health workers have been detained. Shelters have been emptied and burned down," said the acting under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, Joyce Msuya.
Msuya highlighted the alarming impact of the Israeli onslaught on healthcare and civilian safety, as well as the plight of first responders, noting that they have been "prevented from rescuing people from under the rubble."
The humanitarian chief expressed deep concern for the civilian population, reporting that "families have been separated and men and boys are being taken away by the truckload."
The Israeli violence has resulted in "hundreds of Palestinians reportedly killed," with "tens of thousands forced to flee yet again," she said.
Msuya warned that "the entire population of North Gaza is at risk of dying," condemning the ongoing attacks and blockade as showing "blatant disregard for basic humanity and for the laws of war."
She called for immediate international action to halt the violence and ensure the protection of civilians in the region.
Israeli army ground incursions and bombardments continue across northern Gaza, as the forces push for forced displacement of Palestinians.
Nearly 43,000 people have since been killed, most of them women and children, and over 100,000 others injured, according to local health authorities.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its actions in Gaza. — BERNAMA-ANADOLU