UN chief says evacuation of northern Gaza 'simply not possible'

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The UN chief on Friday said that relocating Gazans across a war zone to a place with no food, water or accommodation is "extremely dangerous," and "simply not possible".

"Moving more than one million people across a densely populated warzone to a place with no food, water, or accommodation, when the entire territory is under siege, is extremely dangerous – and in some cases, simply not possible," Antonio Guterres said ahead of a Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East.

The UN chief said that the system of the hospitals in Gaza is "on the brink of collapse" and morgues are overflowing, adding that 11 healthcare staff have been killed while on duty.

"Our United Nations staff and our partners are working around the clock to support the people of Gaza," he said. "We mourn for our colleagues who have been killed a number that is increasing by the day."

Guterres said he has been in "constant contact" with the leaders across the region, focusing on ways to "reduce suffering and prevent further dangerous escalation in the West Bank or elsewhere in the region, especially in southern Lebanon".

“The exchange of fire across the blue line is very worrying. It must stop,” he stressed.

“We need immediate humanitarian access throughout Gaza so that we can get food well food and water to everyone in needs,” Guterres said.

"Civilians must be protected and also never use the shields. And all hostages in Gaza must be released immediately," he added.

He also called on leaders to "speak out against Antisemitism, anti-Muslim bigotry and hate speech of all kinds".

The Israeli army on Friday called on all residents of northern Gaza to evacuate their homes and head to the south.

Israeli forces launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began last Saturday when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the operation was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.