The UN warns that Gaza faces irreversible devastation until instant humanitarian entry is restored.
The United Nations Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Workplace for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs have known as for the pressing entry of humanitarian support into Gaza, warning that the scenario has turn into “determined”.
In the meantime, seven European nations have demanded that Israel carry its blockade on the Strip and finish its ongoing genocide in opposition to the Palestinian inhabitants.
Talking on Friday, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk mentioned Israeli assaults and civilian casualties have surged dramatically in latest days, together with strikes on hospitals.
He confused that the intensified navy assault is worsening an already catastrophic humanitarian disaster and urged the worldwide neighborhood to behave instantly to stop additional deaths.
🚨 Two Palestinians had been killed and others wounded in an Israeli airstrike concentrating on the Abu Akar household dwelling west of Khan Yunis, southern Gaza. pic.twitter.com/3MRp4ilImv
— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) May 17, 2025
Türk warned that hunger in Gaza, pushed by Israel’s continued siege, is deepening. “We should cease the clock on this insanity,” he mentioned.
He dismissed US-backed different proposals for support supply, emphasizing that the UN already has a reputable plan and 160,000 support models able to be deployed.
He emphasised that different proposals for support distribution—significantly these backed by the US and Israel—had been pointless and a waste of time, noting that the UN already has a reputable plan and the infrastructure in place to start instant supply.
Türk additionally pointed to large-scale destruction, mass displacement, and the obstruction of humanitarian entry as indicators of a deliberate effort to completely alter Gaza’s demographics—actions he mentioned quantity to ethnic cleaning and violate worldwide legislation.
Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN humanitarian workplace (OCHA), mentioned from Geneva that the scenario is now so horrific that public strain on international leaders is crucial.
🚨 Israeli strike hits Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital yard in Deir Al-Balah — at the very least one killed, a number of injured. Tents of displaced households had been broken within the assault. pic.twitter.com/v3uyUBwC7e
— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) May 17, 2025
EU International locations Demand an Finish to the Siege
On the identical day, the leaders of seven European international locations—Spain, Eire, Norway, Iceland, Slovenia, Malta, and Luxembourg—issued a joint assertion urging Israel to interact in good-faith negotiations to halt the battle and carry its siege on Gaza.
They condemned any plans for compelled displacement or demographic engineering within the Strip. “We won’t be silent in entrance of the man-made humanitarian disaster that’s happening earlier than our eyes in Gaza. Greater than 50.000 males, ladies, and kids have misplaced their lives,” the assertion learn.
The leaders warned that many extra might die from hunger within the coming days until instant steps are taken, they usually known as on Israel to halt navy operations and reverse its present insurance policies.
“We name upon the federal government of Israel to instantly reverse its present coverage, chorus from additional navy operations and absolutely carry the blockade, making certain secure, speedy and unimpeded humanitarian support to be distributed all through the Gaza Strip by worldwide humanitarian actors and in keeping with humanitarian rules,” the assertion learn.
🚨🚨🚨#BREAKING🇵🇸#Gaza🇵🇸
Leaders of seven European international locations:
We urge all events to instantly have interaction in negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza🇵🇸, we won’t be silent in entrance of the humanitarian disaster that happens in entrance of our eyes in Gaza🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/gQqUvVerPC— SIMPLY_ME😎 (@TOUNESBELALB) May 16, 2025
Hamas Welcomes Worldwide Help
In response, the Palestinian resistance motion Hamas welcomed the assertion, praising the “brave stance” of the seven European international locations and French President Emmanuel Macron’s name for a right away ceasefire and an finish to the siege.
Hamas additionally known as for a unified Arab place to assist cease the battle and make sure the pressing entry of humanitarian and medical support.
In the meantime, Israel continues to dam humanitarian entry into Gaza for the seventy fifth consecutive day.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel—backed by america—has waged a genocidal battle on Gaza, killing and injuring greater than 173,000 Palestinians, nearly all of them ladies and kids. Over 11,000 folks stay lacking.
(PC, AJA)
