The Israeli military says Palestinians from northern Gaza will not be allowed to return to their homes, effectively admitting to ethnically cleansing the region. A military official said any future aid to Gaza would only be allowed to enter through the south, but not the north, where there are “no more civilians left.”
UNRWA spokesperson Louise Wateridge posted a harrowing video from northern Gaza showing its utter decimation. Wateridge wrote, “No matter from what direction you enter, homes, hospitals, schools, health clinics, mosques, apartments, restaurants — all completely flattened. An entire society now a graveyard.”
This comes as the head of UNRWA warned once again the agency will collapse “without intervention by member states.” Reuters reports the U.N. suggested in a letter to Israel that replacing the aid provided by UNRWA would become Israel’s responsibility after it recently cut ties with the U.N. body.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization resumed large-scale medical evacuations Wednesday, moving over 100 critical patients out of Gaza. Fewer than 300 patients had been able to leave Gaza since Israel blocked the Rafah crossing in May. The WHO estimates up to 14,000 Palestinians are in need of urgent medical evacuation from Gaza.
Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed at least 27 Palestinians since the day started, including at least three children in Rafah.