With shelters vulnerable, Israel must protect Gaza civilians seeking safety: UN

ANKARA - The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) on Saturday called on Israel to protect civilians who are seeking shelter across the Gaza Strip, adding that the agency shelters in Gaza can no longer be seen as safe.

In a statement, the agency said: “UNRWA calls on the Israeli Authorities to protect all civilians who have been sheltering in UNRWA premises across the Gaza Strip including those in northern Gaza and Gaza city.”

“Despite the (Israeli) order to evacuate more than 1 million from Northern Gaza and Gaza city to the south, many people – pregnant women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities – will not be able to flee the area,” the agency stressed, referring to an order Israel issued Friday to evacuate northern Gaza's more than 1 milion people within 24 hours.

“They have no choice and must be protected at all times,” it added, stressing: “Wars have rules.”

The agency stressed that “civilians, hospitals, schools, clinics and UN premises cannot be a target.”

The agency also said it is “sparing no effort to advocate with parties to the conflicts to meet their obligations under international law to protect civilians including those seeking refuge in UNRWA shelters.”

UNRWA shelters in Gaza and Northern Gaza are “not safe anymore,” it said.

“This war should be no exception – protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure including UN buildings applies to this conflict too,” the agency said.

In a dramatic escalation of tensions, a week ago Israeli forces launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group 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 endured a crippling siege since 2007.

Over 3,500 people have been killed since the outbreak of the conflict on Oct. 7, including 2,215 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi