Palestinian families flee Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
Some 800,000 people have been forced to flee the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner Lazzarini today since Israel launched its military operation in and around Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, on May 6. He reiterated his call for greater protection of civilians in Gaza, safe humanitarian access and an eventual ceasefire.
Before the outbreak of the current round of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Rafah had a population of about 300,000. With the influx of Palestinians in central and northern Gaza Strip to Rafah, the number of Palestinians in Rafah City once reached more than 1.4 million, more than half of the population of the Gaza Strip.
After Israel issued an evacuation order to move people to so-called safe zones, nearly half of Rafah's population was once again displaced and fled to central Gaza and Khan Younis in search of any place to take refuge, Lazarini said.
"Each time, they were forced to leave behind what few possessions they had: mattresses, tents, cooking utensils and basic household items that they couldn't carry and couldn't afford to pay for transportation," he said. Each time, they had to start from scratch and start all over again. ”
No place is safe
Lazzarini noted that there is no safe water or sanitation in the areas where people are now fleeing. For example, many have fled to Al-Mawasi in central Gaza. It is a 14-square-kilometre stretch of sandy farmland where people are confined to the wilderness, with few buildings or roads and the minimum conditions for providing emergency humanitarian assistance in a safe and dignified manner.
Before the recent escalation, Mahwasi was home to more than 400,000 people and was already too crowded to accommodate more, as was Deirbarah in the central region.
Lazarini said the suggestion that the people of Gaza could be moved to a "safe zone" or a "humanitarian zone" was false. Every evacuation puts the lives of civilians at grave risk.
"There is no safe zone in Gaza at all, nowhere is safe and no one is safe," he said. ”
Lazzarini said the situation has once again gotten worse due to a lack of aid and basic humanitarian supplies. Humanitarian teams no longer have much to distribute, including food and other essential items.
Overland is crucial
At the same time, the main crossings into Gaza remain closed or unsafe, as they themselves are located near or within the war zone.
Lazzarini said only 33 rescue trucks had arrived in southern Gaza since May 6. This is just a drop in the bucket in the context of growing humanitarian needs and large-scale displacement.
"While we welcome reports of the first shipments arriving at the new floating terminal, land remains the most viable, effective, efficient and safe way to deliver aid," he said. ”
Earlier on Saturday, the secretary-general's spokesperson's office said 10 trucks carrying aid had landed from Gaza through the U.S. military's floating dock on Friday and arrived at the World Food Programme's warehouse. These include high-energy biscuits for WFP distribution, as well as supplies such as rice, pasta and lentils for distribution to other humanitarian partners.
Lazzarini stressed that land crossings into Gaza must be reopened and safe passage ensured. Otherwise, the lack of aid and the catastrophic humanitarian situation will continue.
Immediate ceasefire
Lazzarini also clarified the obligations of all parties to the conflict, first and foremost to provide prompt and unhindered humanitarian assistance to all civilians in need, wherever they may be.
"Displaced people must have access to basic survival items, including food, water and shelter, as well as hygiene, health, assistance and, most importantly, security," he said. Safe and free movement of humanitarian teams must be ensured to reach those in need of assistance and protection, wherever they may be. All parties to the conflict have an obligation to protect civilians and civilian objects everywhere. ”
Lazzarini stressed that most importantly, it is time to reach a ceasefire. He noted that further escalation of fighting would only bring more suffering to civilians and ultimately render the peace and stability that Israelis and Palestinians desperately need and deserve out of the way possible.
