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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.
“The unmistakable smell of death is everywhere — a grisly reminder that the ruins lining the streets hide the remains of mothers, fathers, children. Humans who once laughed, cried, dreamed. Their lives cut short by the war’s killing machines, many to never be found again,” she said.
Humanitarian efforts in the enclave continue to face significant obstacles, with aid convoys often delayed, denied, or obstructed by Israeli authorities, impeding the delivery of vital food, water, and medical supplies.
“Dignity and hope have been stripped away, with every killing of a loved one, every strike on a civilian lifeline, every denial of access.
“Systems that support life have been systematically dismantled and destroyed. Parents struggle to shield their children from violence, from hunger, from fear,” she said.
“Fleeing families flood the street, clutching their children in their arms, not knowing where they will go as every option appears to have been exhausted.
“The race against time, against death, against the spread of famine, feels like we as humanitarians are running through quicksand. Even more so as humanitarian convoys are too often denied, delayed or obstructed by the Israeli authorities.”
Yet, amid the devastation, Cherevko highlighted the resilience and courage of Palestinian doctors, nurses, paramedics, and aid workers who continue their efforts despite limited resources and dangerous conditions.
“Hope may be all we have left, so we must nurture it,” she said. “But hope alone will not keep people alive. Urgent decisions are needed to pave the way to lasting peace.”
Cherevko called for an immediate and sustained ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, protection of civilians, and unfettered humanitarian access throughout Gaza. She emphasized the importance of accountability for violations of international law.
“The people of Gaza are not asking for charity. They are asking for their right to live in safety, in dignity, in peace,” she said.
“History will judge us not by the speeches we make, but by our actions. When Gaza burned, children starved, hospitals collapsed — did you act?”