UN condemns shocking human rights violations in Gaza conflict
Amidst the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, the United Nations voices grave concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis, with the healthcare system on the brink of collapse
United Nations top officials are issuing a warning about the dire situation in war-ravaged Gaza, describing it as "apocalyptic" and with civilians having "no place safe to go" as the conflict between Israel and Hamas extends to the southern region where many sought safety. Martin Griffiths, the highest UN emergency relief official, expressed concern, stating that "Every time we think things cannot get any more apocalyptic in Gaza, they do." He also highlighted the plight of the people being forced to constantly move and make impossible choices due to the lack of resources.
He also stated that the blatant disregard for basic humanity must come to an end. Israel has escalated its aerial attacks on southern Gaza in an effort to target the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Furthermore, they announced plans to expand ground operations to encompass the entire territory over the weekend.
Intense fighting continues in northern Gaza, with the military confirming the deaths of two Israeli soldiers in close-quarter combat with Hamas fighters. On Monday, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged the IDF to protect civilians, including health workers, journalists, and UN personnel, as well as civilian infrastructure at all times. Guterres emphasized that despite evacuation orders, there is no safe place for civilians in Gaza.
The photo above, taken on December 3, 2023, captures the scene in southern Israel near the Gaza Strip border, as smoke rises from the Palestinian enclave amidst ongoing conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas. On that day, Israel launched deadly airstrikes in Gaza, prompting international appeals for increased protection of civilians and the negotiation of a new ceasefire with Hamas. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)
Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty Images
CNN Gaza reporters relatives killed and childhood home destroyed in two separate strikes
Palestinian civilians in Gaza have been instructed to leave certain areas due to safety concerns, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) releasing QR codes that provide online maps of the designated unsafe zones. However, the effectiveness of these warnings is uncertain due to telecommunications damage and electricity shortages in the region. According to IDF spokesperson Jonathan Conricus, while the QR code system is not flawless, it is currently the best available option.
Last week, approximately 1.8 million people in Gaza were estimated to be internally displaced, representing about 80% of the population, according to the UN.
Numerous injured individuals were observed being rescued from rubble and transported to hospitals in southern Gaza on Monday, as shown in footage. In one Reuters video, a baby was urgently taken from a civilian vehicle to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. The 2-month-old infant lay unconscious on a stretcher as doctors removed his clothing and provided oxygen.
"They instructed us to evacuate Gaza due to the war, so we obeyed and moved from the north to the south as requested. However, this is the situation we encountered in the south," stated Ibrahim Esbeitan, the father of the baby, while pointing to his child in the video.
In Salah Al-Arja, Rafah, residents were observed attempting to free their loved ones from the debris using their hands. An unidentified local resident recounted, "We were sleeping, feeling safe, as we were told this was a secure area in Rafah. But at ten-twenty, they bombarded us, causing extensive destruction. There were innocent children, women, and casualties among the victims."
None of the areas are safe, including Rafah, Khan Younis, Gaza, and Dier. They lie and claim it's safe, allowing us to seek refuge, evacuating Khan Younis and Gaza only to continue bombing.
A Palestinian boy carrying a baby stands at a site of a destroyed building in Rafah, in southern Gaza, December 4, 2023.
Mohammed Salem/Reuters
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, also expressed concerns about the potential "horrors" that could result from Israel's ongoing military campaign. He mentioned that an additional 60,000 people are seeking refuge in already overcrowded UN facilities, emphasizing the urgent need for essentials such as food, water, shelter, and safety. Lazzarini also highlighted the limited access to water in Gaza and the challenges posed by the evacuation order, which has led to people congregating in less than one-third of the Gaza Strip and causing congestion on the roads to the south.
180 humanitarian aid trucks and two diesel fuel tankers sent to Gaza for humanitarian aid efforts
Health system struggling
The health system and infrastructure in Gaza are inadequate for the needs of the population after enduring three months of siege, according to experts.
Out of 36 hospitals in Gaza, only 18 are still operational but are limited in the services they can provide, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday. The 12 hospitals in the south are described as "the backbone" of the health system.
The WHO team, upon visiting Nasser Hospital, reported "catastrophic" conditions due to an overflow of patients on Monday. According to their statement, the building and hospital grounds were excessively crowded with patients and displaced individuals seeking shelter. The emergency ward was said to be overwhelmed, with many patients being treated on the floor. Additionally, UNICEF spokesperson James Elder shared a voice message describing the harrowing conditions in the hospital rooms following a blast less than 100 meters away.
"There must be around a hundred people here, and the children have been awakened by the sound of bombs and explosions," the Elder reported, his voice strained by the background cries of babies. "The parents have a look of helplessness, the feeling that no parent ever wants to experience."
A journalist at Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza reported that the Israeli military had heavily bombarded the area on Monday night, causing significant damage. The journalist described the situation as "very serious," noting that airstrikes and artillery fire could be heard and that individuals near the hospital were being targeted. Anas Al-Sharif also mentioned damage inside the hospital and in the yard as a result of shrapnel from the bombardment.
The Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza alleged that the Israeli military targeted Kamal Adwan hospital in a statement made on Monday. However, CNN was unable to verify these claims independently, and the Israeli military did not respond to requests for comment. The IDF has stated that it is targeting Hamas infrastructure throughout Gaza.
This report includes contributions from CNN's Tamar Michaelis, Lauren Kent, Lina El Wardani, Abeer Salman, and Kareem Khadder.
