Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – Leaders of major humanitarian organizations have denounced the establishment of unilateral “safe zones” in the war-torn Gaza Strip, citing grave risks to civilians.
In a statement on November 16, leading voices of humanitarian organizations active in Gaza, including Martin Griffiths, Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, emphatically stated their refusal to partake in any unilateral proposals to establish “safe zones” in Gaza.
The principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee underscored their unwavering stance, asserting that such zones, if created without the consensus of all parties involved, could pose severe threats to civilians, potentially resulting in significant loss of life.
The humanitarian leaders emphasized the necessity of fundamental conditions to ensure the safety and essential needs of civilians before any “safe zone” is implemented.
They stressed the critical importance of a mechanism to supervise its execution, cautioning that the absence of these elements could exacerbate harm to civilians, particularly in the midst of active hostilities.
Underlining their commitment to protecting civilians, the leaders called for continuous efforts by all parties to spare civilians from harm and fulfill their essential needs. Against the backdrop of intense hostilities and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, approximately 1.6 million people currently find themselves displaced in Gaza.
The leaders insisted on the urgent provision of essentials such as food, water, shelter, hygiene, health, and safety for the survival of the civilian population.
Read also: Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis Worsens Amidst Heavy Rain
The statement, signed by the heads of agencies such as IOM, WHO, UNHCR and UNDP, makes it clear that none of the humanitarian organizations represented in the statement have been involved in preparations for displaced people in a possible “safe zone” in Gaza.
A “safe zone,” as defined by the leaders, must meet certain conditions, including the agreement of parties to refrain from hostilities, provision of essentials for survival, and allowing displaced individuals to move freely and voluntarily return to their residences.
Failure to adhere to these basic conditions, the statement concluded, may constitute a breach of international humanitarian and human rights law.
Since October 7, the genocidal Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip has killed more than 11,000 Palestinians, including 40% children, and wounded more than 29,200.
