Gaza City Faces Catastrophic Consequences as Israeli Offensive Escalates, Warns Amnesty International
New York – An escalating Israeli offensive in Gaza City is poised to inflict catastrophic and irreversible consequences on Palestinian civilians, according to Amnesty international, as displacement orders impact over 200,000 people and conditions deteriorate rapidly. The warning comes as Hamas released a video showing two Israeli hostages, Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel, with Gilboa-Dalal stating he and at least eight other hostages are being held in Gaza City. Amnesty International reiterated its demand for the immediate release of all civilian hostages and an end to their degrading treatment.
The situation is compounded by the near impossibility of a safe mass evacuation of Gaza City, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross, under current conditions. Over 86% of the Gaza Strip is now within the Israeli-militarized zone or under displacement orders as of august 27th, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). many of the displaced Palestinians have been forcibly displaced multiple times and are living in overcrowded, squalid camps lacking basic necessities.Notable numbers are unable to leave due to malnutrition,illness,injury,or disability.
The Israeli military has directed residents to relocate to the al-Mawasi area of southern Gaza,but this area has already come under attack by Israeli forces,as reported by The Guardian on September 2nd,and the UN has cautioned it is ill-equipped to handle the influx of people,citing shortages of water,overcrowded tents,and limited access to medical care due to the collapse of Gaza’s health sector.
“Time and again the world has watched at the sidelines as Israel continues to defy the most basic principles of humanity,” stated Erika Guevara Rosas of Amnesty International.”States must not continue to stand by as Israel proceeds with its brazen plan to annihilate and seize full control of Gaza City wreaking further bloodshed, destruction, displacement, and suffering on Palestinian civilians.”
Amnesty International is calling on UN member states, gathering for the General Assembly in New York next week, to take “concrete action to halt israel’s genocide and make clear that its inhumane policies will no longer be tolerated.” The institution demands Israel immediately halt its operation in Gaza City, lift its illegal blockade, and allow the unhindered flow of aid into and throughout the Gaza Strip.Concerns are further heightened by the reported publication of a postwar plan, allegedly US-sponsored, that would forcibly displace the entire population of Gaza, underscoring the urgent need for states to uphold their legal obligations under the Geneva Conventions and prevent further breaches.
