UN 'deeply concerned' over lack of protection for civilians, aid operations in Gaza

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - The UN on Monday voiced deep concern over the lack of protection and safety for not only civilians but also humanitarian operations in Gaza.

"We remain deeply concerned about the lack of protection for civilians and the lack of safety for humanitarian operations. Civilians must be protected and have their basic needs met, whether they move or stay," UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said at a news conference.

Haq's remarks came following Israeli shelling in northern Gaza, which caused "some 100,000 people" forcibly displaced.

Reiterating UN's call for "concrete assurances and actionable measures to facilitate the safe and secure movement of humanitarian cargo via all routes into and throughout the Gaza Strip," Haq said: "The ground incursions and heavy fighting continued to be reported in eastern Rafah, as well as Gaza City and the Jabalia refugee camp."

Responding to Anadolu's question on illegal Israeli settlers attacking humanitarian aid convoys heading to Gaza, Haq defined it as "appalling."

"Obviously, there should be no attacks on humanitarian convoys anywhere and we stand firmly against them," he said.

Haq further dismissed reports of UN changing the number of overall fatalities in Gaza, saying "the number remains unchanged and its had more than 35,000 people since October 7."

"What's changed is, the Ministry of Health and Gaza has updated the breakdown of fatalities, for whom details have been documented," he said, adding that the documentation of identifying casualties is ongoing.

He also noted that the UN does not have the capability to independently verify figures on the ground.

Haq mentioned that the UN has previously relied on data from the Ministry of Health in Gaza, expressing confidence in the reliability of the numbers.