A United Nations spokesperson on Friday voiced serious concern over the “extremely volatile” and unpredictable conditions in the Gaza Strip as Israeli military operations continue.
Speaking at a news conference, UN spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay said, “The intensification of operations by Israeli forces comes after several displacement orders were issued for areas in North Gaza, Deir al Balah, and Khan Younis governorates over the past three days.”
She noted that some 17,000 people have been displaced from Jabalya and Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza since Thursday afternoon alone.
Citing Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Tremblay reported that at least 250 people have been killed in the past 36 hours. She also warned that ongoing hostilities are putting hospitals, along with patients and medical staff in northern Gaza, at serious risk.
Despite “enormous” challenges, Tremblay said the UN and its partners are continuing to mobilize aid to the area. She noted that 18 community kitchens that had previously closed have now been able to reopen.
“The humanitarian community continues to call for the total blockade on Gaza to be lifted to allow in desperately needed supplies, as well as the protection of civilians and an immediate reinstatement of the ceasefire,” Tremblay said.
Continued Violence and Killings in the West Bank
Tremblay also highlighted the worsening situation in the occupied West Bank, where, since March 2, Israel has kept Gaza’s border crossings closed to food, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid—deepening the crisis.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported ongoing settler “vandalism” in the West Bank, which has damaged critical infrastructure and disrupted livelihoods for many communities.
The UN Human Rights Office in the occupied Palestinian territory has called for an end to “senseless killings” in the West Bank. “Israel must stop all extrajudicial executions and other unlawful use of force in the occupied West Bank,” Tremblay stated.
According to Palestinian sources, at least 967 Palestinians have been killed and over 7,000 injured by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its ongoing war in the enclave.