The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, said “humanity is failing” in the war between Israel and Hamas and called for the protection of civilians.
‘Citizens and civilian infrastructure, including workers and humanitarian assets, must be protected’ the head of the United Nations (UN) emphasized in a statement.
Martin Griffiths, also the United Nations emergency response coordinator, emphasized this “even wars have rules, and these rules must be respected at all times and by all parties.”
“Citizens must be able to leave for safer areas. And whether they move or stay, constant care must be taken to ensure that they are spared. Essential supplies and services and unhindered humanitarian access must be allowed,” Griffiths stressed.
The senior UN official expressed “deep concern” in the same note that the conflict could spread to Lebanon and urged countries with influence in the region to stop the escalation of violence and its spread to other places.
“All countries with influence must exercise their influence to ensure respect for the rules of war and prevent further escalation and spread,” Martin Griffiths emphasized in the statement.
According to the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, “the past week has been a test for humanity, and humanity is failing.”
Griffiths also referred to the people held captive as being treated ‘humanely’ and called for the release of all hostages.
“Citizens in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories have suffered utter fear and devastation for a week. I fear the worst is yet to come,” added Martin Griffiths.
The Islamist group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel last Saturday with the launch of thousands of rockets and the incursion of armed militiamen by land, sea and air.
In response, Israel bombed several Hamas infrastructure in the Gaza Strip from the air and imposed a total siege of the territory, cutting off water, fuel and electricity supplies.
The attacks have already caused thousands of deaths and injuries in both areas.
Source: DN
