UN Secretary-General António Guteres is appalled by the escalation of Israeli military activity in and around Rafah in southern Gaza, his spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday.
“These developments are further impeding humanitarian access and worsening an already dire situation. At the same time, Hamas goes on firing rockets indiscriminately,” the statement said.
Stressing that civilians must be respected and protected at all times, Mr. Guterres added that “for people in Gaza, nowhere is safe now.
The Secretary-General reiterated his longstanding urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for the release of all hostages.
He also called for the Rafah crossing to be re-opened immediately and for unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza.
Concern for displaced families
UN Palestine refugee UNRWA said on Tuesday that large parts of Rafah have become “a ghost town”. Some 450,000 people have fled the area over the past week and are seeking shelter where they can, including in rubble and sand dunes.
In New York, UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said displaced families are arriving at sites that lack shelter, latrines, and water points.
“However, it is impossible to improve the situation at displacement sites if supplies can’t enter Gaza – and if we lack the fuel to transport them inside Gaza to the families who need them,” he told journalists attending the daily media briefing at UN Headquarters.
Aid trucks attacked
Meanwhile, efforts to deliver lifesaving assistance are ongoing amid insecurity and other obstacles.
UN humanitarian affairs agency, OCHA, said partners report that work continues to restore health services at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, which is expected to formally reopen in the coming days.
The hospital began providing dialysis treatment last week to patients who can no longer be treated at An Najjar Hospital in Rafah, which has ceased providing services.
OCHA also reported that on Monday, Israeli settlers in the West Bank attacked aid trucks bound for Gaza.
“The settlers offloaded and vandalized the vehicles at the Tarqumiya checkpoint and near the Barrier by Beit ‘Awwa,” the agency said, noting that several trucks were damaged.
