"The protection of civilians is paramount, including in times of conflict," Juliette Touma, UNRWA director of communications, told the Associated Press. "They should be protected in accordance with the laws of war."
Israel's response to the Hamas attack has been aggressive, resulting in substantial destruction in the Gaza Strip. Many neighborhoods have been devastated by Israeli air strikes. The UNRWA headquarters in Gaza City and schools-turned-shelters have also suffered damage.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently declared war and said the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) would "operate forcefully everywhere." (Related: Netanyahu promises to turn Gaza into "rubble" following Hamas attack – they will pay "unprecedented price.")
An independent international commission of inquiry expressed grave concerns about the ongoing situation and accused Israel of committing war crimes.
"The commission is gravely concerned with Israel’s latest attack on Gaza involving the withholding of water, food, electricity and fuel which will no doubt cost civilian lives and constitutes collective punishment," said the UN Independent International Commission on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the terrorist attacks by Hamas and expressed support for Israel, confirming that some Americans are among those held hostage by Hamas. As tensions persist, over 1,200 Israelis are reported to have lost their lives.
In Gaza, the situation is dire, with essential services such as electricity, fuel, and water collapsing after four consecutive nights of Israeli airstrikes.
Hospitals and medical facilities are overwhelmed, and it's reported that Israel is targeting first responders.
Death toll among Palestinians has soared past 940, with at least 140 children among the dead. An estimated 263,000 Palestinians have been displaced so far.
Israel, on the other hand, announced that the deadly weekend attack has killed over 1,200 Israelis, 14 Americans and many other foreign nationals.
Gaza residents face an alarming humanitarian crisis.
"We are suffering, and the world is not moving a finger. This is an SOS to the whole world … you must help us," said a Gaza health official.
Al Jazeera reported that Gaza residents are "trapped in a cage" with nowhere to escape amid the unrelenting Israeli airstrikes.
Humanitarian corridor through Egypt eyed
Efforts are being made to establish a humanitarian corridor through Egypt to evacuate Palestinian civilians, including American citizens.
The Biden administration said it is talking with the Egyptian government and regional officials to establish the corridor through which Palestinian civilians, particularly American citizens and passport holders still stuck in Gaza, could evacuate.
However, the feasibility and effectiveness of this plan are questioned, considering the ongoing bombardment and the challenges in resettling refugees.
Questions were asked: How would Gaza residents actually make it to the corridor exit amid the constant bombs? How can Egypt hope to resettle all these refugees given its struggling economy and lack of infrastructure?
Would this be facilitating a massive demographic "emptying out" of Gaza by encouraging the population to leave, instead of world powers pursuing a ceasefire deal?
On Tuesday, Oct. 10. Israel bombed the lone border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. The Rafah crossing is the only possibility of escape for Gaza civilians.
The conflict continues to draw international attention and debate, with different perspectives on the actions of both sides. As the situation worsens, it becomes increasingly critical to address the humanitarian crisis in the region and work towards a ceasefire to protect civilian lives.
Visit WWIII.news for more stories about the ongoing conflict in Israel.
Watch this footage of an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip from the Israeli Defense Forces.
This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.
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