NEW YORK, United States
The United Nations has announced plans to scale down its operations in Gaza as the humanitarian crisis deepens amid renewed Israeli strikes.
UN spokesperson Stéphane
Dujarric confirmed Monday that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made the
difficult decision to "reduce the United Nations footprint in Gaza even as
humanitarian needs soar and our concern over the protection of civilians intensifies."
Dujarric emphasized that the
UN remains committed to providing aid despite the operational reduction.
"We are not leaving Gaza. I repeat, the United Nations is not leaving
Gaza," he stated, underscoring the urgent need for international intervention.
The situation in Gaza has
deteriorated rapidly following a week of heavy Israeli air and ground
operations, which have claimed the lives of hundreds of Palestinians. The Gaza
Health Ministry reported that more than 60 people, including women and children,
were killed in the past 24 hours alone. The overall death toll from 17 months
of war has now exceeded 50,000.
Dujarric called for an
immediate ceasefire and urged all parties to respect international law.
"Civilians must be respected, and they must be protected. The denial of
life-saving aid must end. The hostages must be released immediately and
unconditionally," he stressed.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts
to restore the ceasefire are underway. Officials confirmed that Egypt has
introduced a new proposal aimed at halting the fighting and resuming
negotiations. However, with the conflict showing no signs of abating, the
humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire.
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