Humanitarian groups reject proposal to create unilateral ’safe zones’ in Gaza
Israel News - Haaretz.com
▻https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-11-16/ty-article-live/biden-war-wont-end-until-hamas-destroyed-un-calls-for-urgent-cease-fire-in-gaza/0000018b-d5f5-df9a-ab8b-dffd41030000
18 leaders of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations issued a joint statement vowing not to participate in unilateral proposals to create “safe zones” in Gaza.
“Under the prevalent conditions, proposals to unilaterally create ’safe zones’ in Gaza risk creating harm for civilians, including large-scale loss of life, and must be rejected. Without the right conditions, concentrating civilians in such zones in the context of active hostilities can raise the risk of attack and additional harm. No “safe zone” is truly safe when it is declared unilaterally or enforced by the presence of armed forces,” said the leaders of the so-called Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee.
“Any discussions around ’safe zones’ must not detract from the parties’ obligation to take constant care to spare civilians – wherever they are – and meet their essential needs, including by facilitating rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all civilians in need,” they continued.
They further warned that any temporary area that aims to keep civilians safe, protected, and spared from hostilities that doesn’t meet necessary conditions constitute a breach of international humanitarian and human rights law.