Israel announced the start of initial siege operations on Gaza City, labeling it a dangerous combat zone and ending daytime pauses that had allowed humanitarian access. IDF forces reported holding the outskirts of Gaza City as preliminary operations proceed. UNRWA warned the siege risks forced displacement for about 1 million Palestinians and would push thousands into already overcrowded shelters. The UN-backed IPC has declared famine in Gaza City and surrounding neighborhoods and urged an end to the near-total humanitarian blockade to prevent famine spreading further south. Churches and aid groups pledged to remain to support sheltering Palestinians.
Israel announced on Friday that it has begun the "initial stages" of its siege on Gaza City, declaring the capital city a "dangerous combat zone" and ending its daytime pauses for the supposed purpose of allowing the passage of humanitarian aid, despite a famine declaration across the area last week. "We have begun the preliminary operations and the first stages of the attack on Gaza City, and already now IDF forces are holding the outskirts of Gaza City," Israel's military spokesperson told reporters.
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said that the siege would put 1 million Palestinians at risk of forced displacement once again, with many thousands being forced into already overcrowded areas to seek shelter. "With famine already confirmed in the area, any further escalation would deepen suffering and push more people toward catastrophe," the agency warned. Churches and aid groups have pledged to stay to aid Palestinians sheltering in the Strip's largest city.
The end of the supposed humanitarian pauses in Gaza City comes just a week after the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) officially declared a famine in the region encompassing Gaza City and surrounding neighborhoods. The group had called on Israel to end its near-total humanitarian blockade, warning that the famine will spread further south if it isn't immediately stopped.
Collection
[
|
...
]