Situation in Gaza 'beyond any of our worst nightmares,' says UN official

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - An official from UN Population Fund (UNFPA) on Friday voiced concern about the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip following the Israeli attacks since Oct. 7.

"I've returned today for a week in Gaza and it's clear from my visit: The situation in Gaza is beyond any of our worst nightmares, and it's getting worse. What I saw, what I felt was fear, despair, desperation is everywhere," Dominic Allen, UNFPA Representative for the State of Palestine, told reporters via video link.

Stressing that nowhere safe in Gaza, Allen said after the fear comes the immense humanitarian needs as the people in the coastal territory lack food, water, health care and shelter.

"I don't even want to speak about a life with dignity because I didn't see any of that in Gaza right now. What I saw was really truly heartbreaking," he added.

The world needs to help Gaza now, Allen said, adding that he is personally "terrified" for over 1 million women and girls, who are "suffering the most," including 5,500 pregnant women due to give birth in this coming months.

"During my visit I met some of them and I can't stop thinking about them. Many of them suffering from thirst, malnutrition, lack of health.

"If the bombs don't kill them, if disease hunger and dehydration don't catch up with them, simply giving life, will. And we can't let this happen," he said.

The UN needs "unhindered, safe, rapid, at scale access" to the north right now, Allen stressed, adding that there are pregnant women still in the north.

"... but we don't have numbers because we don't have access. It's been denied by the Israeli authorities. So, we were unable to deliver supplies during my time there," the UN official said. "The UNFPA, UN have been very clear. This must stop now and cease-fire now."

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas, which Tel Aviv says killed around 1,200 people.

At least 23,708 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and 60,050 others injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.

According to the UN, 85% of the population of Gaza is already internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicines, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure is damaged or destroyed.