New York, 18 November 2023 (TDI): The Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s (IASC) principals emphasized their steadfast stance against unilateral proposals to establish “safe zones” in Gaza, underscoring their commitment to humanitarian principles.
They said that everyone must agree to be a part of any “safe zone” and that certain conditions must be met to make it work. These include making sure everyone is safe, meeting basic needs, and setting up a way to keep an eye on things.
Amidst the prevailing conditions, the risk of harm to civilians is highlighted, with independently declared “safe zones” in Gaza potentially leading to significant loss of life.
Such proposals are firmly rejected, as concentrating civilians in these zones during active hostilities increases the risk of attacks and additional harm. The inherently unsafe nature of unilaterally declared or enforced “safe zones” is emphasized.
Discussions about “safe zones” are cautioned not to detract from the parties’ overarching obligation to consistently protect civilians, regardless of their location, and fulfill their essential needs.
The statement draws attention to the impact of intense hostilities and the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, resulting in the mass displacement of nearly 1.6 million people in Gaza.
Access to necessities for survival and the delivery of humanitarian aid must be made easier. To do this, humanitarian organizations must be given enough fuel to deliver aid and provide services.
The overarching commitment remains to assist and protect civilians and other protected persons, ensuring the freedom of movement for humanitarian relief personnel in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The statement emphasizes that none of the represented humanitarian organizations have been involved in preparing for the potential arrival of displaced people in any envisioned “safe zone” or “humanitarian zone” in Gaza, creating a unified position among the signatories.
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A “safe zone” is defined as a temporary area aiming to safeguard civilians from hostilities, subject to specific conditions.
These include the parties’ agreement to refrain from hostilities, the provision of essential survival elements, and the freedom of movement for displaced individuals to return voluntarily to their residences.
Failure to adhere to these conditions may constitute a violation of international humanitarian and human rights law.
The signatories, including Martin Griffiths, Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, and various leaders of humanitarian organizations, renewed their call for a humanitarian ceasefire, thereby creating a thread of continuity throughout the text.
The Emergency Relief Coordinator emphasized some of this statement’s points in a statement, giving the story a temporal connection.
