‘The smell of death is everywhere’ in northern Gaza, UNRWA chief says
UNRWA staff reported that they could not find food, water or medical care, Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini wrote on X
‘Just waiting to die’
“The smell of death was everywhere as bodies lay on the road or under rubble. Tasks to clean up bodies or provide humanitarian assistance were denied,” he said.
“In northern Gaza, people are just waiting to die. They feel abandoned, hopeless and lonely. They live from hour to hour, afraid of death every second.”
Allow the family to leave
Mr. Lazzarini said that throughout the war, some staff had stayed in the north and “did the impossible” to assist internally displaced people and that some UNRWA shelters remained open despite the firing destroy and violently attack agency buildings.
“On behalf of our staff in northern Gaza, I call for an immediate ceasefire, even if only for a few hours, to allow families who want to leave the area and go to safer places.he said.
“This is the minimum to save the lives of civilians who have nothing to do with this conflict.”
Trapped under rubble
United Nations Office of Humanitarian Aid, OCHATo be report that for five days, people were trapped under rubble in the Falouja area of Jabalia.
“Our urgent requests to help them have been repeatedly rejected by Israeli authorities,” said Gloria Lazic of OCHA, who is in Gaza.
More than 40 people from three families are trapped under the rubble, “and we don’t know if we finally get this approval or how many people will still be alive,” she said. and emphasized that “every minute counts”.
More to follow…