Andrea de Domenico was talking in Jerusalem throughout a last briefing to reporters on the United Nations headquarters in New York, as Israeli authorities have but to resume his visa.
Reflecting on his expertise within the area, Mr. De Domenico recalled that the UN Secretary-Normal had beforehand stated that Gaza was turning into a cemetery for kids and “sadly, he was proper, that is what occurred in Gaza”.
He stated the worldwide neighborhood “should reply the query: how a lot human struggling might be tolerated within the identify of safety”.
“Systematic dehumanization of civilians”
Mr DeDomenico stated that over the previous 10 months he had witnessed first-hand the “systematic dehumanization of civilians” in Gaza and the West Financial institution, in addition to the “bodily and psychological exhaustion of the whole inhabitants”.
He additionally expressed concern that “rising anger in opposition to Israel has woke up darkish forces that would gas anti-Semitism,” noting that the United Nations continues to name on all leaders to talk out in opposition to anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim bigotry and hate speech, which solely exacerbates Stigma and marginalization.
The highest humanitarian stated it was “a little bit of a coincidence” that his final briefing got here on the eve of the 300-day mark.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when a Hamas-led terrorist assault in southern Israel killed roughly 1,250 folks. Greater than 250 folks have been taken as hostages in Gaza, and 115 stay within the enclave.
Loss of life and destruction proceed to extend
DeDomenico stated extra evacuation orders had been issued within the Gaza Strip in current weeks, displacing extra folks, and that it was “notably worrying” that the orders affected areas unilaterally declared by Israel as protected zones. space.
Greater than 200,000 folks have been displaced, however there have been spontaneous returns previously few days.
“We’ll proceed to work arduous to reply to folks in these areas,” he stated. “However the actuality is that we by no means had the capability to ship at scale.”
On the similar time, the casualties attributable to the conflict are nonetheless rising. Greater than 39,000 folks have died in Gaza, 91,000 have been injured, 90% of the inhabitants (1.9 million folks) have been displaced, 60% of residential buildings have been destroyed, and an estimated 49 million tons of particles have been generated.
Moreover, meals insecurity is at its highest ranges and polio has lately been present in sewage samples.
“We do loads on this surroundings,” he stated. “We offer folks with water, meals, tents, clothes, hygiene merchandise, dietary dietary supplements and money. We equip hospitals with stretchers, medicines, meals and medical evacuation amenities.
Nevertheless, he stated “all these efforts are nowhere close to nearly as good as they need to be at serving to folks” and pressured the necessity to scale up operations.
He additionally pointed to “rays of hope” comparable to a program to supply casual studying for some 30,000 kids that began that day and is run by UNRWA, the United Nations company aiding Palestinian refugees, and the United Nations Youngsters’s Fund (UNICEF).
violence in west financial institution
Mr. De Domenico additionally addressed the state of affairs within the West Financial institution, the place the United Nations has verified that 572 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, together with 141 kids. Most have been shot by Israeli troops and settlers. Throughout the identical interval, 14 Israelis have been killed.
Demolition work additionally continues and now seems to be “in every single place, additionally affecting houses in areas that haven’t been broken for years”. In whole, greater than 1,300 buildings have been demolished, practically 40% of which have been occupied, displacing practically 3,000 folks.
On the similar time, search and rescue operations “turned more and more frequent” and “gave the impression to be extra army operations than police enforcement operations,” leading to “enormous injury to civilian infrastructure.”
“For instance, we have seen streets being fully demolished and sewerage networks being eliminated, which in fact has implications for public well being.”
He additionally reported that the Israeli army’s “perspective” towards humanitarianism has additionally grow to be extra aggressive.
“We have been systematically stopped at checkpoints and recognized. They requested workers to get out of the automobile and take out their keys. They wished to determine each worker, and sadly this appears to be a rising development.” .
Lack of permits and visas for workers has additionally grow to be an issue for worldwide NGOs within the West Financial institution.
Requested about his state of affairs, Mr. DeDomenico stated the visa was beforehand legitimate for one yr, however after the conflict began, it was decreased to 3 to 6 months.
He was lately granted a one-month extension and warned it could not be renewed.
“The straw that broke the camel’s again was the discharge of the UN report on Youngsters and Armed Battle, the place they addressed long-standing reporting points that OCHA had been doing,” he stated.
“However this was all communicated verbally and regardless of repeated inquiries I obtained no formal communication.”
