'Forced displacement' continues to happen in Gaza, says UNRWA chief

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - "Forced displacement" is happening in Gaza, said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini on Monday.

"What happened and continues to happen is forced displacement," Lazzarini told an emergency session at the UN Security Council on Gaza.

The UNRWA chief said over 670,000 displaced people are now in overcrowded UNRWA schools and buildings.

"They live in appalling, unsanitary conditions, with limited food and water, sleeping on the floor without mattresses, or outside, in the open," he said, adding that hunger and despair are "turning into anger against the international community" and UNRWA.

Lazzarini also warned the Security Council that Gazans are being subjected to "collective punishment".

He said that due to the two weeks of "full siege," basic services in Gaza are "crumbling" and medicine, food, water and fuel are running out.

"The streets of Gaza have started overflowing with sewage, which will cause a massive health hazard very soon," he said, noting that the communications blackout over the weekend has "aggravated the panic and distress of people in Gaza".

He said he is "very worried" about the potential spillover of the conflict beyond Gaza unless there is a "strict adherence to international humanitarian law."

"This means civilians and civilian infrastructure, including UN premises, schools, hospitals, places of worship, and shelters hosting civilians must be protected all over the Gaza Strip, north and south and at all times," he added.

The UN Security Council convened on Monday after the UAE requested an emergency meeting on Saturday following the reports of Israel’s announcement that it is “expanding ground operations” in Gaza.

- 'Grave violations against children'

Addressing the session, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said "rampant grave violations being committed against children" in Gaza.

"We firmly believe that the true cost of this latest escalation will be measured in children’s lives – those lost to the violence and those forever changed by it," she said.

"According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 8,300 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including over 3,400 children … with over 6,300 children injured. This means that more than 420 children are being killed or injured in Gaza each day – a number which should shake each of us to our core," said Russel.

She noted that the violence being perpetrated against children extends beyond the Gaza Strip.

"In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, at least 37 children have reportedly been killed. And more than 30 Israeli children have reportedly been killed, while at least 20 remain hostage in the Gaza Strip – their fates unknown," said Russel.

The Israeli army widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Hamas.

Over 9,800 people have been killed in the conflict, including 8,306 Palestinians and 1,538 Israelis