ISTANBUL – A UN official has warned that “nowhere is safe in Gaza” as Israeli airstrikes continued on the Gaza Strip.
The UN humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, Lynn Hastings, said on Thursday that “nowhere is safe in Gaza”, despite the Israeli evacuation warnings.
Israeli forces have warned more than 1 million civilians in northern Gaza to evacuate their homes and move south in anticipation of an expected ground invasion.
“For people who can’t evacuate – because they have nowhere to go or are unable to move – advance warnings make no difference,” Hastings said.
He added: “When the evacuation routes are bombed, when people north as well as south are caught up in hostilities, when the essentials for survival are lacking, and when there are no assurances for return, people are left with nothing but impossible choices. Nowhere is safe in Gaza.”
The UN official said that the conduct of armed conflict should be governed by international humanitarian law. “This means that civilians must be protected and have the essentials to survive, wherever they are and whether they choose to move or stay.”
The statement also called for the release of all hostages held by Hamas. -AA
