UN relief chief calls for end to civilian suffering in Gaza

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The UN relief chief voiced concern Saturday about an Israeli attack on the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, which left 210 victims dead and more than 400 injured.

"Today, Nuseirat refugee camp is the epicenter of the seismic trauma that civilians in Gaza continue to suffer.

"The images of death and devastation following Israel's military operation there prove that each day this war continues, it only grows more horrific," Martin Griffiths said in a statement.

Griffiths reiterated that nowhere is safe in Gaza and health care in the besieged enclave "is hanging by a thread."

"And even as four hostages are reunited with their families, we are reminded that scores are still being held captive. All of them must be released. All civilians must be protected. This collective agony can and must end now," he added.

Earlier Saturday, Israel said it rescued four Israeli hostages from central Gaza after a military operation.

The Hamas-run Government Media Office said at least 210 Palestinians were killed and more than 400 injured in severe Israeli airstrikes targeting the Nuseirat refugee camp, areas east of Deir al-Balah and the al-Bureij and al-Maghazi camps in central Gaza, coinciding with a sudden incursion of vehicles east and northwest of Nuseirat.

Israel has continued its brutal offensive on Gaza since a Hamas attack on Oct. 7 despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

More than 36,700 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, most of them women and children, and over 83,500 others injured, according to local health authorities.

Eight months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, whose latest ruling ordered Tel Aviv to immediately halt its operation in the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million displaced Palestinians had sought refuge.​​​​​​​