International community complicit in the ongoing disaster in Gaza

The Israeli military assault in southern Gaza is causing destruction, danger and civilian terror and suffering on such a scale that it makes any humanitarian response in the entire enclave impossible, says Oxfam. The nightmare is unfolding in full view of the international community.

"Our political leaders are failing - a major sign of weakness - to create a ceasefire, which is the only possible humanitarian measure that now really matters."

Marta Valdes Garcia, Humanitarian Director Oxfam International

Oxfam believes that many in the international community - especially countries that support Israel - are complicit in the mass deaths, displacement, and starvation and hardship affecting more than 2 million people currently trapped and displaced in Israeli-designated target zones in Gaza, both in the northern besieged area and now throughout the entire trapped southern part of Gaza.

Oxfam staff in Gaza say that young children are asking their parents to pack their clothes in separate bags for the next move under fire, in case their parents are killed. People are now fighting for basic necessities such as food, water and fuel.

"This is one of the most difficult days and one of the most difficult wars that we have experienced. Wherever you look around you, you will find displaced people, injured people, people sleeping in the streets, and we have many difficulties to distribute aid because there is no safe place in Gaza. Any area can be dangerous, any place can be bombed at any time."

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Virtually no aid is now reaching Gaza; what Israel may be allowing to trickle in is insufficient and cannot be safely distributed to civilians fleeing for their lives.

- This kind of systemic, militarized chaos has overwhelmed the international humanitarian system. Our governments don't even have the smokescreen of humanitarianism to hide behind as Israel carries out its campaign of collective punishment," said Marta Valdes Garcia:

- Israel's so-called safe zones inside Gaza are a mirage: unprotected, not agreed or safe and not accessible. Our fear is that masses of terrified people will be forced out of Gaza using 'security' as an argument. This would force the humanitarian system into an impossible choice between helping civilians and being complicit in Israel's forced deportation.

"The terrible irony is that this militarized destruction of Gaza literally blows away any chance of real security for both Palestinians and Israelis. Gaza needs a ceasefire now and humanitarian organizations need guarantees of safe access to help people and save lives."

Marta Valdes Garcia, Humanitarian Director Oxfam International