Thousands of people looted UN aid centers out of frustration and desperation due to shortage of supplies, said UN authorities on Sunday.
According to Thomas White, director of United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) affairs in the Gaza Strip, people feel that they are on their own cut off from rest of the world and are scared and frustrated.
“People are scared, frustrated and desperate. Tensions and fear are made worse by the cuts in the phones and internet communication lines...They feel that they are on their own, cut off from their families inside Gaza and the rest of the world,” said White.
UN chief once again warned of ‘deteriorating’ situation in Gaza. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said the number of civilians who have been killed or injured is 'totally unacceptable'.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the Palestinian death toll crossed 8,000.
"The world is witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe taking place before our eyes," said Guterres. "The situation in Gaza is growing more desperate by the hour. I regret that instead of a critically needed humanitarian pause, supported by the international community, Israel has intensified its military operations. The number of civilians who have been killed and injured is totally unacceptable," he added.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Red Crescent said on Sunday it has received two calls warning from Israeli authorities to immediately evacuate al-Quds hospital in the Gaza Strip, as they are planning for airstrikes near the hospital.
"Since this morning there has been raids 50 meters away from the hospital," it added in a statement posted on X. World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed 'deep concern' over the situation.
UN authorities had said with continuous airstrikes, over 2 million people, with nowhere safe to go are being denied the essentials—food, water, shelter and medical care. “This is a worrying sign that civil order is starting to break down in Gaza,” said White.
The UNRWA in its statement said it stores supplies from the humanitarian convoys coming from Egypt in one of the warehouses in Deir al-Balah, where thousands raided and took away flour, food and other basic supplies.
UN asked authorities if security could be tightened at aid centers to avoid further ‘expected’ raids.
UNRWA provides basic services to hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza. Hundreds of people are seeking shelter in its schools and camps set up in various centers.
According to IDF officials, a humanitarian zone in the southern Gaza Strip is marked in the Khan Younis area. IDF also said it has struck more than '450 military targets' over the past day.
Taking to X, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said itswarplanes attacked over 450 military targets of the terrorist organisation Hamas throughout the Gaza Strip.
"Among the targets attacks were military headquarters, observation posts, and anti-tank firing positions of the terrorist organisation...As part of the expansion of the ground forces' activity, the combined combat teams attacked terrorist squads that tried to harm the forces," it added.
Amid the Israel-Hamas conflict and deepening Gaza crisis, Saudi Arabia's defence minister Khalid bin Salman is expected to visit Washington on Monday. This comes as Netanyahu announced the "second stage" in the war.