Stéphane Dujarric informed journalists during the regular press conference in New York that operations have resumed in Tulkarm and are continuing in Jenin.
“The UN has recorded more than two dozen deaths in the past week, including children,” he said.
He added that on Tuesday several organizations mobilized by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) were to conduct an investigation in Jenin, but Israeli authorities denied them access.
“OCHA warns that access barriers are affecting the ability to provide meaningful humanitarian assistance,” he said, noting that the movement of ambulances and medical teams has been hampered and delayed since the start of the now week-long operation.
UN envoy visits Gaza
Meanwhile, Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, visited Gaza on Monday.
He described the scale of the destruction as “immense” and the humanitarian needs as “colossal and towering.”
“I unequivocally condemn the horrific number of civilian casualties in Gaza,” he said, also condemning the killing of six hostages in Gaza by Palestinian armed groups.
“Every day that passes puts more lives at risk,” he said. “I reiterate my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and urge all parties to reach an agreement that will lead to the immediate release of all hostages and a humanitarian ceasefire.”
During his stay in the Gaza Strip, Mr Wennesland also met with heads and staff of UN agencies and visited a polio vaccination centre.
