New York: The United Nations today asked neighbouring countries of Palestine to provide a safe passage to the civilians caught in the Israeli military offensive in the Hamas ruled Gaza strip.
"Those who are compelled to flee the Gaza Strip should be able to do so and to find safety and security in other countries according to international law," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said.
There has been no large-scale movement out of Gaza because of the Israeli blockade. However, Guterres urged that "all borders and access routes concerned should be kept open and safe, and Palestinians endeavouring to leave Gaza should not be prevented from doing so."
He called for strict adherence to humanitarian principles in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where an already dire situation has been made worse by the Israeli offensive.
The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes, told reporters that the humanitarian crisis is becoming "increasingly alarming," with the people of Gaza going hungry, often lacking power, water and other basic services.
Amid the worsening humanitarian environment, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has been struggling to carry out vital tasks such as distributing food and medical supplies.
"It is absolutely imperative that the immediate delivery of humanitarian assistance to the civilian victims of this conflict be facilitated, including access from Egypt and Israel," he said.
