UN Warns of Catastrophe in Gaza Amid Potential Israeli Assault

The United Nations is sounding the alarm over a potential humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, particularly in the southern city of Rafah, as Israel appears poised to launch a major military operation. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that an assault could lead to a"slaughter"and cripple lifesaving aid work across the region, where 1.2 million displaced Palestinians are sheltering indensely packed camps.

Why this matters: The potential humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has far-reaching implications for global stability and security, as it could lead to a massive influx of refugees and further destabilize the region. Moreover, the international community's response to this crisis will set a precedent for addressing similar humanitarian emergencies worldwide.

"Any ground operation would mean more suffering and death,"stated OCHA spokespersonJens Laerke. The World Health Organization (WHO) has made contingency plans but cautions they will not be enough to prevent a humanitarian disaster. Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO representative in the occupied Palestinian territories, warned that an incursion would spark a new wave of displacement, overcrowding, and reduced access to essential services, fueling more disease outbreaks.

Gaza's health system, already on the brink of collapse after seven months of heavy Israeli bombardment, is ill-equipped to handle the scale ofdevastationan assault would bring. Only 12 out of 36 hospitals and 22 of the territory's 88 primary health care facilities are partially functional. "The health system is barely surviving,"said Dr. Ahmed Dahir, the WHO team leader in Gaza. "If any operation happens, which means the population and patients will not be able to access these hospitals, what is going to happen to these patients; ultimately that would be a catastrophe."

The WHO is scrambling to set up a new field hospital in Al Mawasi, Rafah and preposition medical supplies in warehouses across the Gaza Strip. However, Dr. Peeperkorn emphasized these efforts are mere "Band-Aids" that "will absolutely not prevent the expected substantial additional mortality and morbidity caused by a military operation." The organization has already reported 30 child deaths linked to illnesses caused by malnutrition, which should have been preventable.

The looming assault on Rafah threatens to exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Widespreaddestruction of housing, agricultural production, and vital infrastructure has left much of the population facing poverty and food insecurity. If the incursion proceeds, the UN warns Gaza will be rendered fully dependent on external aid on a scale not seen since 1948."We will see the effects for years to come,"said Dr. Peeperkorn, referring to the long-term consequences of malnutrition. As the specter of anunprecedented catastrophelooms, the international community is facing urgentcallsto act to prevent a bloodbath in Rafah and protect the lives of Gaza'smost vulnerable.

Key Takeaways

• UN warns of potential humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza Strip, particularly in Rafah.
• 1.2 million displaced Palestinians in densely packed camps at risk of "slaughter" and aid disruption.
• Gaza's health system is on the brink of collapse, with only 12 out of 36 hospitals partially functional.
• WHO contingency plans insufficient to prevent humanitarian disaster, warns of massive refugee influx.
• International community urged to act to prevent bloodbath in Rafah and protect Gaza's most vulnerable.