Humanity lost: An update from Caritas in Gaza
This statement comes directly from the Caritas Internationalis network operating on the ground in Gaza
Caritas is deeply concerned by the escalating events in Rafah and the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza, as Israeli forces intensify airstrikes on Jabaliya and Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza and in parts of Central Gaza. Israeli military forces have already taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
What is happening now?
Following further evacuation orders issued by the Israeli Defense Forces 11 Saturday, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are fleeing from southern Rafah and heading to an 'expanded humanitarian area' in Al-Mawasi, clearly suggesting that the military is pressing ahead with its plans for a full-scale ground attack on Rafah. Palestinians warned however that the area is already overcrowded and is lacking in essential services. It cannot cope with a population influx. Knowing that most of the Palestinians in Rafah are already displaced, forced by Israeli forces to leave other areas of the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the incursion, and who are now being pushed to move again from one place to another.
“There is no safe place in Gaza” says Secretary General, Alistair Dutton and stresses “a full scale offensive on Rafah will no doubt result in massive loss of life among civilians, furthering displacement and devastating consequences for an already exhausted population. Not to mention the possibility of further atrocity crimes.”
What has happened already?
Since 6 May, more than 278,000 people have been displaced without effective protection, including people with disabilities, chronically ill, elderly, injured, pregnant women and children. Civilians, including those displaced, must be protected and must be granted continuous access to food, safe drinking water and adequate medical health care and assistance, as required by international humanitarian law.
Far too many innocent civilians have been killed, including thousands of children. Further killing must be stopped and life protected. In an interim ruling in January, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel’s government to desist from genocidal acts and to take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. Caritas is also seriously concerned about the safety of humanitarian aid workers and medical staff in the affected areas.
What needs to happen next?
A full-scale incursion into Rafah must be avoided. It would seriously compromise critical aid operations and put the lives of hundreds of thousands of people at risk.
Caritas calls on States with influence to do everything in their power to prevent a large scale incursion into Rafah and to protect civilians as well as humanitarian aid workers and medical personnel in compliance with international humanitarian law.
Caritas also reiterates its pressing call for:
An immediate and permanent ceasefire, and for the release of all hostages and arbitrarily detained prisoners.
Ensuring immediate, safe and unhindered large-scale humanitarian operations by opening critical land crossing to their full capacity to avert famine and allow the population to access essential humanitarian, fuel and medical supplies, as well as basic services.
An immediate rescission of evacuation orders for Gaza civilians to prevent further forcible and unsafe transfer of civilians, while deprived of essential supplies and essential services.
States to immediately resume funding to UNRWA as it remains the backbone of aid operations in Gaza and a lifeline for Palestine refugees across the region.
States to continue to use their influence to ensure Israel complies with the binding measures ordered by the International Court of Justice in application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.