麻豆约拍

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian Occupied Territories, Francesca Albanese, says the situation in the Gaza Strip has reached a point of "no return" with more than 5,000 people killed and basic infrastructure destroyed by Israeli airstrikes.

Whilst some aid has begun to trickle into Gaza, she says this is but a "drop" against the huge humanitarian need.

Blaming the international community for "epic failure" that has led to the current crisis, Albanese says it now has an obligation to push for an immediate ceasefire that would see the return of hostages from Hamas, unimpeded aid flow into Gaza, and a "serious discussion" on protecting the Palestinian population, including those in the West Bank.

Hamas is designated as a terrorist organisation by many western governments and Israel says its attacks are targeting Hamas infrastructure, including tunnels. More than 1,400 Israelis were killed when Hamas attacked Israeli communities on 7th October.

(Photo shows people mourning around collected bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli air raids in Khan Younis, Gaza. October 24, 2023)

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