Destruction in Gaza Hits Unprecedented Levels, UNDP Administrator Calls for Urgent Ceasefire
In a dire plea for urgent action, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner raised alarming concerns about the escalating destruction and suffering in Gaza following a brief humanitarian ceasefire. The devastating situation has unfolded at an unprecedented pace, leaving the humanitarian system on the brink of collapse.
In a letter invoking Article 99 to the Security Council, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres stressed the deplorable human suffering on the ground and the imminent risk to the humanitarian infrastructure. The toll of the war is staggering, with a reported 15,800 people killed since its inception.
Gaza's population is now in desperate need of essential provisions such as food, water, shelter, and access to medical care. The critical infrastructure and services that Palestinians rely on have been decimated, exacerbating the already dire circumstances.
Israel's announcement of approximately 10,000 airstrikes in Gaza over the past eight weeks has led to an unprecedented level of destruction, surpassing the devastation witnessed in any previous military operations in the Strip. Housing and infrastructure have been ravaged, leaving the civilian population in a perilous state.
Steiner highlighted the pressing need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, asserting that all hostages must be released. He called for unrestricted, sustained, and at-scale humanitarian aid to address the crisis. Until such measures are implemented, the safety of anyone in Gaza remains uncertain.
The international community is urged to respond promptly to prevent further loss of life and to avert a complete collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza. The gravity of the situation requires immediate and coordinated efforts to ensure the well-being of the civilian population caught in the crossfire.
