The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) has highlighted a dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, with approximately 1.7 million Palestinians forcibly displaced due to escalating conflict.
During a press conference in Geneva, UNHCR spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani emphasized the urgent need to address the catastrophic conditions faced by civilians in Gaza. She urged influential states to intervene and halt the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian crisis, increasing violence, and targeted attacks in the West Bank.
Shamdasani criticized Israel for imposing unlawful restrictions on humanitarian aid and causing widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure. She reported that 10,000 people were displaced in Middle Gaza over the past week due to intensified fighting.
Despite Israel denying hindering humanitarian relief to Gaza, the regime has faced mounting international pressure following an attack on an aid convoy that resulted in the deaths of international relief workers.
Shamdasani also mentioned reports of Israeli forces attacking mosques during Eid al-Fitr, with 534 mosques destroyed or damaged since October 2023, violating laws protecting places of worship.
Furthermore, she highlighted the increasing violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, with attacks by Israeli settlers often supported by Israeli soldiers. Shamdasani called on the occupying power to restore order and public security, urging Israeli security forces to cease their support for attacks against Palestinians.
Separately, a human rights group reported that Israeli forces have kidnapped 3,000 Palestinians from Gaza since October 2023. The regime initiated its campaign following the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas's Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, resulting in at least 33,800 deaths, mostly women and children.
Save the Children expressed deep concern over the toll on Gaza's children, with more than 14,500 children killed and thousands more missing, presumed buried under rubble.
