New York: The heads of all major United Nations (UN) agencies have issued a joint plea for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
In a statement, they urged the safety of civilians and quick access to necessities like food, water, medicine, and fuel. The heads of several UN agencies, including UNICEF, UN Women, the World Food Program, and the World Health Organization, called the murders of Israelis and Palestinians during the previous month “horrific.”
“For almost a month, the world has been watching the unfolding situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory in shock and horror at the spiralling numbers of lives lost and torn apart,” the UN chiefs stated.
More than 1,400 people, mainly civilians, were killed in Hamas’s October 7 attacks on southern Israel, according to Israeli authorities. The UN and humanitarian organizations also pointed out that more than 23,000 injured people require emergency care and hospitals are overstretched.
“An entire population is besieged and under attack, denied access to the essentials for survival, bombed in their homes, shelters, hospitals, and places of worship,” the joint statement said.
The statement emphasized the terrible toll on relief workers, noting that scores have been killed since last month, including 88 United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) colleagues, marking the highest number of UN fatalities ever recorded in a single conflict.
The unified plea urged the immediate and unconditional release of all civilians held captive and demanded the protection of civilians and the vital infrastructure they depend on, including hospitals, shelters, and schools.
TRENDING | UN experts call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
