Israel intends to cease humanitarian support in the northern region of Gaza, coinciding with their intensified military operations in Gaza City.
In the heart of the Middle East, a humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Gaza City. Over the past week, the Israeli military has been escalating its assault on the region, drawing international condemnation and causing thousands of civilians to flee their homes.
Israeli security officials have acknowledged that the evacuation of Gaza City is going slower than expected, with many residents forced to leave their homes more than once. The United Nations announced on Thursday that 23,000 people have evacuated Gaza City in the last week due to renewed bombardment.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not made any public statements about the protection of civilians during the offensive. However, ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric demanded that all civilians must be protected by international humanitarian law, regardless of whether they leave or stay behind, and must be allowed to return home.
Spoljaric stated that a mass evacuation of Gaza City would trigger a massive population movement that the Gaza Strip cannot absorb, given the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and the extreme shortages of food, water, shelter, and medical care. The Red Cross has warned that such an evacuation is 'unfeasible and incomprehensible.'
Gaza City was declared a combat zone by Israel, and the IDF has not provided specific details about the planned offensive. Israel claims that a network of tunnels used by Hamas still remains in Gaza City, despite previous large-scale raids. The Israeli military has been slowing down or halting the entry of aid into northern Gaza, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza City is already severe, with half a million people across the Gaza Strip facing catastrophic levels of hunger. Earlier this month, it was confirmed that Gaza City was in famine. Aid groups have warned that a large-scale evacuation would further worsen the dire humanitarian crisis.
Many in Gaza City say there is nowhere safe to go. At least 50 Palestinians were reportedly killed in Israeli attacks on Saturday, including 26 in Gaza City. Israel began an expanded military offensive in Gaza City, which drew international condemnation. The Israeli military has been escalating its assault on Gaza City over the past week.
As the situation in Gaza City continues to deteriorate, the international community must take action to protect civilians and alleviate the humanitarian crisis. The UN and aid groups are calling for immediate access to the region to provide much-needed aid and support to the displaced population. The ICRC has reiterated its call for the protection of civilians and the right for them to return home. The world must listen and act to prevent further suffering in Gaza City.
