NHS Doctor’s family trapped in North Gaza as UN warns of “devastating humanitarian consequences”

13/10/23 3.50 pm: Hussain* has just advised us that his wife’s family tried to leave for the South of Gaza but that they were forcibly returned to the North after Hamas closed the border between North and South Gaza.

The last few days we have been trying in various ways to help a doctor from Gaza with crisis accommodation and emergency support. Hussain’s asylum appeal was refused. He has permission to work and is appealing the decision. 

This morning, Hussain left a trauma meeting at the hospital where he works after finding out that his mother and little sister have been ordered to move from the North of Gaza within one hour. 

They have very little food or water, or battery life left in their phone. They have left the school they were sheltering in. 

The distance to the south of Gaza is 20 KM. There is no transport. The roads are rubble. There is no time to bury the dead.

Those in hospitals cannot leave. It is impossible for the injured, elderly and pregnant women to leave. 

An extended family of 40 people sheltering in one house in North Gaza dare not leave as they fear being killed outside. So they have decided to stay. 

The UN has said the order to move 1.1M people in 24 hours will lead to "devastating humanitarian consequences". 

The situation in Gaza is "dire", with food and water running out, according to the UN's World Food Programme.

The Palestinian enclave is relying on generators after its only power station ran out of fuel

50,000 pregnant women in Gaza are unable to access essential health services or even clean water, the UN says

1, 699 people have been killed in Gaza.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society has issued a statement saying “… We did not and will not leave. Our medics will carry on their humanitarian duties. We won’t leave people to face death alone.”

The First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf has met with and comforted the mother and family of Bernard Cowan who was killed at the weekend. He has called for a Gaza Humanitarian Corridor. His extended family members are trapped in Gaza. He said: 

“The international community must step up and demand an end to collective punishment. Enough. There can be no justification for the death of innocent men, women & children.”

PM Rishi Sunak has spoken to the president of Egypt to highlight "the importance" of opening the Rafah border crossing to allow “British and other people” trapped in Gaza to flee. However, the crossing has been closed since it was hit by airstrikes on Tuesday. Jordan has sent to Egypt a delivery of humanitarian supplies intended for Gaza, but it is unclear if aid will be allowed in.

If you can offer accommodation through our Room for Refugees Network then register at www.roomforrefugees.com . To support our humanitarian work visit www.positiveactionh.org or e: home@positiveactionh.org

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