The ongoing conflict in Gaza has reached unprecedented levels of suffering, with daily reports of devastation, attacks on civilians, and a healthcare system on the brink of collapse. Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini of the UN Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA) reiterated the urgent need for a ceasefire, stating, “Every day without a ceasefire will bring more tragedy.”
Escalating Violence and Lack of Safe Zones
In a statement shared on social media, Lazzarini highlighted that no place in Gaza is safe. Recent attacks, such as the one on Al Mawasi, which claimed dozens of lives, underscore the absence of humanitarian or safe zones in the region.
The ongoing violence, which began in October 2023, has left Gaza in a humanitarian crisis, with children and families living in unsanitary and dangerous conditions.
Restrictions on Media Freedom
UNRWA also condemned the restriction of international journalists from reporting freely within Gaza, calling on Israeli authorities to grant access. Simultaneously, the suspension of Al Jazeera operations in the West Bank by the Palestinian Authority (PA) has raised concerns about freedom of expression in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) urged the PA to reverse its decision, emphasizing the importance of upholding international obligations to protect press freedom.
Healthcare Under Attack
Healthcare services in Gaza face relentless assaults, as illustrated by the raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital. Two UN Special Rapporteurs, Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng and Francesca Albanese, condemned the attack and the arbitrary arrest of the hospital’s director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, who defied evacuation orders to continue treating patients amid bombings. Tragically, Dr. Abu Safiya’s son was killed, and he himself was injured while on duty.
The situation at Kamal Adwan Hospital is emblematic of the broader assault on healthcare in Gaza:
- Over 1,057 Palestinian health and medical professionals have been killed.
- 22 hospitals have been destroyed, with Kamal Adwan being one of the last remaining facilities under constant threat.
- Arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial executions of healthcare workers continue unabated.
International Law and Protections
Under international humanitarian law, medical personnel and facilities enjoy special protections and cannot be targeted or detained for carrying out their duties. The UN experts called for:
- The immediate release of Dr. Abu Safiya and other arbitrarily detained healthcare workers.
- An end to attacks on healthcare personnel and facilities.
“The heroic actions of Palestinian medical colleagues in Gaza teach us what it means to uphold the medical oath, even under dire circumstances,” the experts said, urging the global community to act decisively to protect these essential workers.
A Call for Change in 2025
The ongoing violence and destruction in Gaza highlight the urgent need for global solidarity and action. UN officials stressed the importance of beginning the new year under different circumstances, with a renewed commitment to ceasefire negotiations and respect for human rights.
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