Conflict in Gaza is at another critical juncture: UN relief chief

WASHINGTON

UN relief chief Martin Griffiths expressed concern Tuesday over Israel’s military actions in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

"The conflict in Gaza is at another critical juncture. Israel's latest evacuation orders and their ground operations will bring more death and displacement," Griffiths said in a statement.

His remarks came a day after Israeli forces issued evacuation orders for Palestinians in eastern Rafah, a move widely seen as a prelude to Israel's long-feared attack on the city, which is home to some 1.5 million displaced Palestinians.

Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli forces seized control of the Rafah border crossing linking Gaza with Egypt, closing it to all traffic.

The Israeli army said the 401st armored brigade took "operational control" of the Rafah crossing from the Palestinian side.

"In just a matter of days, tens of thousands of people have been forcibly displaced yet again. The closing of the Rafah crossing severs access to fuel and shuts off the movement of aid and staff to and from Gaza.

"Civilians must be protected and have their basic needs met, whether they move or stay. Those who evacuate must have enough time to do so, as well as a safe route and a safe place to go," Griffiths added.

UN teams are still in Rafah, where well over 1 million people remain, including 600,000 children, he said.

"We are also extending our presence northwards to assist the families who have moved there. We remain committed to providing aid to people regardless of where they are.

"The decisions that are made today and their consequences in human suffering will be remembered by the generation that follows us. Let us be ready for their reproaches," Griffiths added.

Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip in retaliation for an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas which killed about 1,200 people. Nearly 34,800 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, the vast majority of whom have been women and children, and 78,100 others injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Seven months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins, pushing 85% of the enclave’s population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January said it is "plausible" that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and ordered Tel Aviv to stop such acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.