By Xinhua
United Nations : U.N. Undersecretary-General John Holmes on Friday urged Israel to reopen border crossings with the Gaza Strip to prevent a deterioration of the already dire humanitarian situation there.
“I’m deeply concerned by the closure this morning by Israel of all crossing points between Gaza and Israel, because they are the lifeline for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and other goods to Gaza,” Holmes, who’s in charge of humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordination, told a press conference.
He said reserves of vital goods such as fuel that generate electricity to supply water to homes and hospitals could run out in a few days, if supplies are not resumed quickly.
Holmes expressed grave concern at the “high levels of violence in Gaza, southern Israel, and in West Bank,” and the escalation of such violence that resulted in civilian deaths and injuries on both sides.
“What is of particular concern is that this violence is putting what is an extremely worrying and fragile humanitarian situation into an even more dangerous context,” he said.
Holmes reiterated an appeal made Thursday by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for an end to all Palestinian sniper and rocket attacks into Israel, as well as for maximum restraint on the part of the Israeli defense forces.
“All parties have an obligation to comply with international humanitarian law and to be very careful to protect civilians,” Holmes said.
More than 30 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli ground and air strikes in Gaza Strip and West Bank since Tuesday.
Israel has said the intensive air strikes are aimed at reining in Gaza militant groups, mainly Hamas and Islamic Jihad (Holy War),which intensified their homemade rockets attacks from Gaza at Israel.
Palestinian militants claimed responsibility for firing dozens of homemade rockets and mortar shells at Israeli towns.