BRUSSELS: The United Nations humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian Territories, Muhannad Hadi, on Tuesday said that Palestinians in Gaza feel they are “zombies” left to fend for themselves. His remarks highlight the severe conditions faced by Palestinians in the besieged territory amid ongoing Israeli bombardments since October 7.
During a briefing in Brussels on Tuesday, Hadi, who was meeting with European officials, recounted a troubling conversation with a Palestinian resident of Gaza. “‘We are two million zombies living on our own. All the relations are broken.’ This is how the people of Gaza see themselves,” Muhannad Hadi said.
Hadi’s comments come at a time when the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels. According to the Gaza health ministry, Israeli bombardments since October 7 have killed at least 41,020 Palestinians, mostly women and children.
The relentless Israeli attacks have left the territory in a state of severe crisis, with widespread shortages of food, electricity, and basic necessities.
The UN official emphasized the disintegration of daily life in Gaza, pointing out that “a lot of people have nothing to eat” and many lack access to electricity and even basic shelter. His remarks underscore the grim reality faced by the residents of Gaza.
Hadi criticized the international community, accusing global leaders of failing to address the crisis effectively. He argued that the lack of progress towards a ceasefire and a sustainable solution reflects a broader failure of political leadership. “No one should suffer because of war. No one should suffer because of the wrong politics,” he said.
The UN’s special coordinator for the Middle East peace process also voiced frustration over the stalled efforts to secure a ceasefire. He lamented the gap between the dire needs of Gaza’s residents and the actions taken by world leaders, asserting that the ongoing conflict and lack of effective solutions are exacerbating the suffering of civilians.
