Jan Egeland, the Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said on Tuesday that civilian deaths in Gaza “are a stain on Israel and its allies.”
In a statement, he said: “The pulverising of Gaza now ranks amongst the worst assaults on any civilian population in our time and age. Each day we see more dead children and new depths of suffering for the innocent people enduring this hell.”
Egeland added that many NRC staff members now live on the streets. One of them does so with her two-month-old baby.
“Countries supporting Israel with arms must understand that these civilian deaths will be a permanent stain on their reputation. They must demand an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Gaza. Only a cessation of hostilities will allow us to ensure effective relief to the two million who now require it,” he added.
Meanwhile, battles rage as the Israeli army pushes air and ground offensive into southern Gaza, an area it once declared safe for Palestinians.
A UNICEF spokesperson said safe zones in Gaza “are not scientific, they are not rational, they are not possible.”
At least 15,899 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7
