Martin Griffiths, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, stated in a statement today, Saturday, that the already critical humanitarian situation in Gaza is now becoming "unbearable rapidly." Griffiths added that "there is no electricity, water, or fuel in Gaza, and food is running dangerously low," urging all countries with influence to use it to ensure respect for the rules of war and to avoid further escalation.
Griffiths noted that the actions and statements of fighters from Hamas and Israel in the past few days are "extremely concerning and unacceptable," emphasizing that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected. He mentioned that "families in Gaza have been bombed while slowly moving south on crowded and damaged roads, following an evacuation order issued by Israel that has left hundreds of thousands of residents scrambling for safety but with nowhere to go."
He continued, stating that "even wars have rules that must be respected at all times by all parties." He pointed out that "civilians must be allowed to move to safer areas. Whether they relocate or stay, efforts must continuously be made to spare them harm."
Griffiths stated: "Anyone who is held must be treated humanely, and all hostages must be released." He added, "Civilians in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories have been suffering from total pain and destruction for a week. I fear the worst is yet to come." He further remarked, "Last week was a test for humanity, and humanity is failing."
