AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): On the anniversary of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has called for an immediate end to what it describes as a "relentless catastrophe" in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Joyce Msuya, the Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, made the remarks in a statement issued today. Marking the 367th day of the Gaza conflict, Msuya stated, "Twelve months of unyielding misery have passed, and this must come to an end."
Msuya emphasized the responsibility of member states to leverage their influence to ensure adherence to international humanitarian law, human rights, and the rulings of the International Court of Justice.
She urged countries to work towards ending the "impunity" surrounding the situation, stressing that a ceasefire and sustainable peace have long been overdue.Condemning a year of "unimaginable suffering" in Gaza, Msuya remarked that no statistic or word could fully convey the extent of the physical, psychological, and social devastation experienced in the region.
She highlighted the urgent need for the release of hostages, protection for civilians, and the fulfillment of their basic needs, along with the release of arbitrarily detained Palestinians.
Furthermore, Msuya underscored the necessity of protecting humanitarian workers and facilitating their efforts, stating that perpetrators of serious violations of international humanitarian law must be held accountable. She reiterated the call for an immediate halt to the attacks on Gaza.
OCHA expressed deep sorrow over the high casualties among aid workers in Gaza, noting that over 300 humanitarian personnel, including many from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), have been killed, making Gaza the most dangerous place for aid workers amid any crisis.The statement also highlighted that over the past year, the Israeli regime has obstructed humanitarian access to Gaza and its surroundings, crippling relief operations.
Consequently, a vulnerable population has been left to battle illness, hunger, and death.The Palestinian resistance, led by Hamas, initiated a unique surprise operation at dawn on October 7, 2023, attacking Israeli settlements near Gaza and seizing numerous Israeli soldiers as hostages.
Following the launch of the "Al-Aqsa Flood" operation, Israeli officials believed they could eliminate resistance groups within days and regain control over Gaza, prompting severe airstrikes across the territory.Since October 7, the Israeli regime has waged a devastating war against Gaza.
Despite these ongoing atrocities, the Israeli authorities have admitted that after nearly a year of conflict, they have yet to achieve their objectives of dismantling Hamas and securing the release of their hostages from Gaza.
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