NEW YORK: “Laws of war are not optional, and their violations must be investigated and addressed for the sake of justice and to prevent setting a dangerous precedent,” a UN official said on Friday, warning of a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid escalating conflict.
Speaking from Deir Al-Balah, Olga Cherevko, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Gaza, told a press briefing that “in an instant, Gaza City was handed a death sentence — leave or be killed,” referring to the orders for civilians to leave their homes and move to already overcrowded areas where basic necessities such as clean water, nutritious food, and medical care have become scarce commodities.
Hospitals, overwhelmed and lacking critical supplies, are struggling to care for the injured, many of whom are housed in hallways and on balconies due to limited space. Meanwhile, Israeli naval forces blockade Gaza’s western coastline, while ground troops and tanks encircle the territory on all other sides, tightening restrictions and cutting off escape routes.
Cherevko recounted the human cost of the conflict, including the death of a young child in an Israeli strike while waiting for bread. She painted a harrowing picture of families fleeing in desperation, children sheltering under tables during bombings, and entire communities living with the constant threat of violence.
