On Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres indicated that he was "appalled" by the increased military activity in and around the southern Gaza city of Rafah by the Israeli Forces. Nearly 450,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced from the area in the past week.
His deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, told reporters at United Nations headquarters, "These developments are further impeding humanitarian access and worsening an already dire situation. At the same time, Hamas continues to fire rockets indiscriminately. Civilians must be respected and protected at all times, in Rafah and elsewhere in Gaza."
In the past week, the Israeli military has intensified bombardment and other operations in Rafah while ordering the population to evacuate parts of the city. Israel claims it is carrying out a limited operation to destroy the militant infrastructure along Gaza’s border with Egypt.
Haq said “nowhere is safe now” in Gaza, and that the U.N. chief reiterates his appeal for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire and the release of all hostages.
“He calls for the Rafah crossing to be re-opened immediately and we must have unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza,” Haq added.
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