“UNRWA Condemns ‘israel’s’ Extended Siege in Northern Gaza and Assaults on Medical Facilities”
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has described the situation in the northern Gaza Strip as experiencing "the hell of the hell," as a result of Israel's sustained bombing campaign targeting civilian infrastructure and the blockade on humanitarian aid, a situation that has persisted for nearly three months.
In a recent interview with Ireland’s national broadcaster RTE on Wednesday, Juliette Touma, the Communications Director for UNRWA, reported that northern Gaza has been subjected to intense bombardment, resulting in significant civilian casualties and assaults on medical facilities and shelters.
She was questioned regarding the conditions at Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, which continues to operate at a minimal capacity despite receiving an Israeli directive to close and evacuate.
Touma has reported that the issuance of evacuation orders and the occurrence of raids on medical centers have become frequent in Gaza since October of last year. This follows the initiation of what he described as a genocidal conflict by Israel against the Palestinian region.
She emphasized the need to remain vigilant, highlighting that occurrences like this are constant and underscore a breach of international law.
“This constitutes a significant breach of international boundaries, as the rules of warfare have been repeatedly violated in Gaza. It is imperative that those responsible are held to account.”
In recent months, Israeli forces have deployed tanks, snipers, and quadcopters in operations targeting the Kamal Adwan Hospital, a facility currently providing medical care and shelter to more than 400 civilians.
On Wednesday, the Israeli non-governmental organization, Physicians for Human Rights – Israel (PHRI), submitted an urgent petition to the nation’s highest court, seeking an immediate halt to the ongoing assaults on Kamal Adwan hospital. The NGO, which champions medical rights, is urging the court to intervene to protect the healthcare facility.
A petition has been initiated urging the creation of a humanitarian corridor to facilitate the delivery of medical supplies and fuel, as well as to ensure the safe evacuation of patients and healthcare personnel.
The persistent assaults on Kamal Adwan Hospital have inflicted devastating damage on medical infrastructure, resulting in the loss of both patients and staff lives and obstructing access to critical healthcare services, according to reports.
According to international law, Israel holds the responsibility to ensure the safety and security of patients, medical staff, and healthcare facilities, even amidst conflict situations.
On October 7, 2023, Israel initiated a significant military operation in Gaza following a major offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas. This development came as a reaction to perceived escalations and hostilities faced by the Palestinian population.
To date, at least 45,361 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have lost their lives as a result of actions by the occupying forces in Gaza, with an additional 107,803 individuals reported injured.
Since early October, Israel has escalated its military operations in the northern Gaza Strip, isolating the area from the rest of the territory and imposing severe restrictions on the entry of food aid.
