NGOs Warn of Alarming Situation as Israeli Attacks Continue in Northern Gaza

According to SAEDNEWS, Prominent nonprofit organizations have raised serious concerns about the worsening conditions in northern Gaza, where Israeli assaults have persisted for the 12th consecutive day. In a joint statement released on Wednesday, Oxfam and 37 other humanitarian groups described the situation as reaching a “horrifying level of atrocity.”

The statement emphasized that northern Gaza is being "wiped off the map" amidst ongoing violence. Israeli forces have ordered the forced displacement of around 400,000 Palestinians, including many from Gaza City, under the pretense of an ‘evacuation.’ The NGOs condemned this as "forced displacement under gunfire."

They added that forcibly moving civilians violates international law, specifically the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits such actions. The groups pointed out that the relocation areas have not provided safety, adequate shelter, or essential services, and there is no assurance that displaced individuals can return home after the fighting stops.

“Since October 1, no food has been allowed into the area, and civilians are being starved and bombed in their homes and tents,” the NGOs reported. They noted that the medical staff is struggling to care for the growing number of wounded, with hospitals running low on essential supplies and fuel.

Mohammed Salha, acting director of Al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza, shared that the Israeli military had repeatedly contacted the hospital to evacuate. He explained that all departments are full of injured patients, and they are discharging those with minor injuries due to a lack of beds.

Salha insisted that the hospital would not evacuate unless ambulances were provided to transport patients safely to hospitals with better facilities.

The NGOs urged global leaders to fulfill their legal and moral obligations and take action to stop these atrocities. They highlighted that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had called on Israel to prevent acts as defined by the Genocide Convention, but so far, these have been just words.

In recent days, Israeli strikes have repeatedly targeted refugee camps and crowded shelters across the already besieged Palestinian territory. This marks the third wave of airstrikes and ground attacks in northern Gaza since the start of the conflict in October 2023, raising alarm about the escalating humanitarian crisis.