‘Destined To Die… Please Let It Be Sooner’: UN Staffer’s Text From Gaza Amid Israel’s Warning

New Delhi: The humanitarian crisis in Gaza Strip is grave as thousands of civilians are looking to move from the northern region to south after fresh warning from Israel before launching a ground offensive.

The extent of the ordeal being faced by people stuck in north Gaza amid the war can be gauged from messages and videos of staffers of the United Nations (UN) arm working for Palestinian refugees.

At least 12 UN staffers have died in the crossfire between Israel and Hamas, the militant Palestinian group in Gaza. And many more are literally counting the hours before they could join the list of victims as well.

“Oh God, Oh God please help us. If we are destined to die, please let it be sooner rather than later,” read one of the WhatsApp messages by United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) worker Helen.

UNRWA shared a video clip showing more WhatsApp messages of Helen.

“None of us are fine. Those who were dead are living with us, and those alive are dead…They bombed the whole square, there are tens of bodies,” Helen texted.

“Please help us. The situation in the #GazaStrip is unbearable. These are the messages we’re receiving from our @UNRWA colleagues,” UNRWA wrote while sharing the clip.

“Please help us”

The situation in the📍#GazaStrip is unbearable. These are the messages we’re receiving from our @UNRWA colleagues.#HearTheirVoices pic.twitter.com/S7KLKYyfaP

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) October 15, 2023

The UNRWA shared another video in which its staff member Rawya Halas shares the deadly situation in Gaza.

“The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is dire. Our @UNRWA colleague Rawya reports the desperate need for food, water, and medicine for the people fleeing their homes who are now dying without these supplies available,” UNRWA wrote alongside the video.

“The situation is catastrophic, catastrophic, catastrophic”

🆘 The humanitarian crisis in📍#Gaza is dire.

Our @UNRWA colleague Rawya reports the desperate need for food, water, and medicine for the people fleeing their homes who are now dying without these supplies available. pic.twitter.com/eZlkL7xQYk

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) October 15, 2023

In its bid to avenge Hamas’ sudden attack from ground, air and sea on October 7, Israel faces a humanitarian challenge.

The UN has urged Israeli authorities to protect all civilians sheltered in UNRWA premises across Gaza Strip.