U.N. officials say situation in northern Gaza ‘apocalyptic’ as Israel continues offensive

Top United Nations officials today called the situation in northern Gaza “apocalyptic,” an unusually stark warning as Israel enters the second month of an operation targeting the area where Hamas has regrouped. Nick Schifrin reports.
Geoff Bennett:
Top United Nations officials today called the situation in Northern Gaza apocalyptic, an unusually stark warning as Israel enters the second month of an operation targeting the area where Hamas has regrouped.
Nick Schifrin joins us now.
So, Nick, what did this warning say?
Nick Schifrin:
U.N. and U.S. officials are incredibly alarmed by conditions in Jabalia in the northernmost part of Gaza, where Israel launched a new operation one month ago, where thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of people have little food — access to food, water or medicine.
And so, today, leaders of 15 U.N. and humanitarian organizations, including Oxfam, the High Commissioner of Refugees, the American heads of UNICEF and the World Food Program and the World Health Organization, said — quote — “The situation unfolding in North Gaza is apocalyptic. The entire Palestinian population in North Gaza is at imminent risk of dying from disease, famine and violence. The blatant disregard for basic humanity and for the laws of war must stop.”
Geoff, the statement also called for an arms embargo. The U.S. has been pushing Israel to allow more aid into Northern Gaza and warns that if later this month the U.S. determines that Israel — quote — “arbitrarily blocking aid, indeed some arms could be blocked.”
Geoff Bennett:
And what has Israel said in response to this?
Nick Schifrin:
Israel officials told me that Jabalia is full of Hamas fighters, many of whom participated in the October 7 terrorist attacks.
And the fighting there is absolutely intense. One official told me Israeli soldiers have killed or detained more than 1,000 Hamas fighters and it’s simply too dangerous to allow humanitarian workers into the area. Israeli officials also point out that most of Jabalia’s civilians have evacuated. You can see Israeli drone footage right there of civilians fleeing the area.
They also say criminal gangs are attacking the aid trucks. But, Geoff, U.S. officials insist that, again, Israel must make provisions to allow more aid into Northern Gaza, and they say that the risk of starvation right now is — quote — “very significant.”
Geoff Bennett:
Nick Schifrin, our thanks to you, as always.
Nick Schifrin:
Thank you.