In an official statement issued by his spokesperson, Ban Ki moon warned of devastating humanitarian impact of offensive in Gaza on civilians in the enclave who have already suffered immensely since the crisis started on July 8.
The statement comes after Israeli forces reportedly dropped leaflets on northern Gaza warning tens of thousands of residents to leave their homes and evacuate to Gaza City.
“If true, this would have a further devastating humanitarian impact on the beleaguered civilians of those areas of the Gaza strip who have already undergone immense suffering in recent days,” said the statement.
It added that UN agencies in Gaza do not have the resources on the ground to cope with, or provide assistance to, an enormous extra influx of desperate people.
“Secretary General strongly urges all sides to avoid any further escalation at this time. He notes that all sides must meet all obligations under international humanitarian law, both towards civilians ahead of impending attacks, as well as maintaining proportionality in any kind of military response.”
“Once again, the Secretary General underlines the critical importance of ending hostilities.”
The Israeli intensified military offensive in Gaza, which is home to 1.8 million people, has left over 1260 dead and thousands injured. Over 182,000 displaced people have now taken refuge in facilities run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Official reports show more than 80 percent of victims have been civilians, many of them women and children.
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