Gaza: UN rights workplace deplores lethal strikes on Palestinians gathering firewood

OHCHR within the Occupied Palestinian Territory expressed dismay that “the Israeli military is destroying Gaza City, forcing Palestinians to flee and then killing them when they seek shelter in Middle Gaza, especially in and around An Nuseirat Camp.” 

Amid the continuing displacement and inflow of internally displaced individuals (IDPs), Israel intensified strikes on the northwestern a part of Middle Gaza governorate, overlaying An Nuseirat and Az Zawaida areas.

Tents, houses and a busy market hit

Officials recorded no less than 12 incidents there through the previous 5 days which killed no less than 89 Palestinians, most of whom gave the impression to be civilians – together with many ladies and kids. 

The incidents included strikes on IDP tents, houses and a crowded market in An Nuseirat Camp the place no less than 17 Palestinians have been reportedly killed.

“In addition, the Israeli military has reportedly launched airstrikes from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), artillery shelling, and live gunfire against those gathering firewood, especially in northern Middle Gaza, causing dozens of casualties,” the assertion continued. 

Between 1 August and 23 September, OHCHR recorded 14 such assaults which killed 21 Palestinians together with no less than one youngster. 

The Office recalled that “Israel has completely blocked the entry of cooking gas since 2 March 2025, forcing people to rely on wood, mostly derived from flammable debris from destroyed buildings and broken furniture, as the only available source of fuel for cooking.”

Civilians underneath assault

OHCHR emphasised that Israel is obliged to tell apart between civilians and combatants and to chorus from directing assaults in opposition to civilians.

“The strikes which kill many Palestinians, including children and women, as well as the use of live ammunition against Palestinians collecting firewood, appear to amount to attacks directed at civilians, demonstrably not directly participating in hostilities,” the workplace mentioned. 

Supporting the hungry

Separately, the UN assist coordination workplace, OCHA, said that shelling and air strikes have continued throughout the Strip, with high-rise buildings reportedly hit in areas round Gaza City together with Ar Rimal, Beach camp, and Tal al Hawa.

Teams are working to usher in assist to assist bakeries and neighborhood kitchens.  On Sunday, companions ready and delivered some 658,000 meals throughout the enclave. 

However, entry to northern Gaza is particularly difficult. Daily meals have been decreased from 170,000 in mid-September to about 50,000 as assist companions relocated and scaled up their operations within the central and southern components of the enclave.

“Humanitarian partners report that this week, about 50 communal ovens in Gaza City are operational, helping some 2,700 families bake their dough for free,” OCHA mentioned.

The company reminded that the UN and companions haven’t been allowed to deliver any meals assist from Zikim crossing into northern Gaza for greater than two weeks.

Although many stay in Gaza City and the north, others proceed to flee southwards with 6,900 such displacements recorded on Sunday by 4 monitoring factors. 

Overall, virtually 453,000 displacements have been recorded throughout Gaza since mid-August, with the bulk originating from Gaza City.