UN dismisses Israeli-designated Gaza zones as unsafe

The United Nations emphasized yesterday that Palestinians in Gaza City had no safe havens to move to and described Israeli-designated regions in southern Gaza as dangerous areas. The Israeli military, prior to commencing its ground operation in Gaza City in August, has been instructing Palestinians to travel south. James Elder, a spokesperson for UNICEF, dismissed the idea of a secure zone in the south as absurd during a media briefing in Geneva. Elder, speaking from Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, highlighted the frequent bombings causing devastation, including schools used as temporary shelters being destroyed and tents catching fire from air attacks. The Israeli military has suggested Palestinians relocate to a “humanitarian area” in Al-Mawasi on the coast, promising aid, medical assistance, and humanitarian facilities.