Following the closure of the crossing by the Israeli Defense Forces, UN warned of the risk faced by its operations on the ground as the Gaza population begins to leave.

Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, insisted on the respect for humanitarian law and the need to have access to supplies after the closure of the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings, the only ones available for humanitarian activities.

At the same time Dujarric confirmed that while talks are progressing, the lack of fuel and food could have catastrophic consequences in that area which hosts over one million Palestinians.

“Civilians in Gaza must be protected and their basic needs met, whether they move or stay. Those who leave must have enough time to do so, as well as a safe route and places to go,” Dujarric told reporters.

Monday’s evacuation orders by the Israeli military have already led to the forced displacement of tens of thousands of people, the spokesman added. Many of them have been uprooted several times over the past seven months.

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