The renewed conflict in Gaza has had devastating effects on civilians and healthcare infrastructure. Reports from the UN and other humanitarian agencies describe relentless bombardments targeting ambulances, hospitals, and health workers.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has prompted former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to call for the deployment of United Nations peacekeeping forces to protect civilians in the enclave. His call comes amidst escalating violence, renewed airstrikes, and severe humanitarian concerns following the breakdown of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Mahathir’s statement underscores a growing demand for international intervention as civilian casualties mount and the humanitarian crisis deepens.

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Mahathir condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza and accused the country of violating the terms of the recently collapsed ceasefire. “Israelis did not honour their commitment in the ceasefire agreement,” he stated. “All they did was to stop the killings in order to gain freedom for the hostages.” He further criticised Israel for maintaining a blockade on essential supplies, including medicine and temporary housing, despite these being key conditions of the ceasefire agreement.

Mahathir warned that Israel and its allies would not cease their military campaign until they occupied Gaza entirely. “The only solution is for the United Nations to send a multinational peacekeeping force to protect the Gazans,” he urged, adding that the world must act against what he described as “genocide.” His call for UN intervention echoes sentiments shared by other global leaders advocating for immediate measures to safeguard civilians in Gaza.

UN Reduces Operations as Casualties Mount

The crisis in Gaza has also forced the United Nations to scale back its operations in the region. On Monday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced the “difficult decision” to reduce the UN’s aid footprint in Gaza following the resumption of intense Israeli airstrikes. The strikes, described as “devastating,” have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians, including UN personnel, and have left critical humanitarian efforts in jeopardy.

“The UN is not leaving Gaza,” Guterres affirmed in a statement. “But the Organization’s footprint will be temporarily reduced due to the intolerable risks faced by our colleagues who are working to save civilian lives.” Roughly a third of the 100 international staff currently stationed in Gaza will be relocated as a precautionary measure, even as humanitarian needs soar to unprecedented levels.

The UN stressed its commitment to delivering lifesaving aid to Gaza, where civilians face dire conditions. Food shortages and skyrocketing prices, compounded by an Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid since early March, have created a desperate situation for the two million residents of the enclave.

Strike on UN Compound Sparks Outrage

The UN’s decision to reduce its operations was prompted in part by a deadly attack on its compound in Deir Al Balah on March 19, which it attributes to an Israeli tank strike. The attack claimed the life of a UN staff member from Bulgaria and injured six others from various countries, including Palestine and the UK.

“The location of this UN compound was well known to all parties to the conflict,” said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric. “Without the protection of international law, our colleagues face intolerable risks as they work to save the lives of civilians.” The UN Secretary-General has called for a thorough and independent investigation into the incident, along with the immediate release of all hostages and the resumption of humanitarian aid deliveries.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry has rejected the UN’s claims, calling them “baseless slander” and accusing the world body of bias. Israeli officials have denied responsibility for the attack and criticised the UN for failing to hold Hamas accountable for its actions in Gaza.

Fox News: UN Avoids Naming Hamas

A report by Fox News highlighted the UN’s reluctance to explicitly name Hamas or other militant groups in its statements regarding the violence in Gaza. Experts interviewed by the outlet accused Hamas of exploiting civilian infrastructure and embedding itself within densely populated areas to evade detection.

“Hamas has become highly skilled at persuading the public that it does not operate from civilian infrastructure,” said Joe Truzman, an analyst with the Foundation for Defence of Democracies. He further asserted that Hamas’s priority is not the welfare of Palestinian civilians but the group’s survival.

Fox News also noted that the UN’s criticism of Israel has fuelled tensions between the world body and Israeli officials. “The UN’s inquiry team itself hasn’t even arrived at the scene,” said Israel’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Oren Marmorstein, accusing the UN of rushing to judgment.

Humanitarian Crisis Worsens

The renewed conflict in Gaza has had devastating effects on civilians and healthcare infrastructure. Reports from the UN and other humanitarian agencies describe relentless bombardments targeting ambulances, hospitals, and health workers. In one recent attack, the surgical department of the Nasser Medical Complex caught fire, causing multiple casualties.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society has reported the targeting of its ambulances and team members, with communication lost with some personnel for over 30 hours. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has called for the urgent entry of additional emergency medical teams into Gaza to support exhausted health workers.

Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.

International Pressure Mounts

As the situation in Gaza deteriorates, Mahathir’s call for a UN peacekeeping force has added momentum to calls for international intervention. Other global leaders may soon follow suit, emphasising the need for a multinational effort to protect civilians and ensure compliance with international law.

While challenges remain – including resistance from Israel and the United States – the demand for action is growing louder. The world’s response to the crisis in Gaza will be a test of its commitment to upholding human rights and protecting innocent lives. As Mahathir stated, “These inhuman people must be stopped by force.”