The UN Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA) issued an urgent call on Saturday for Israeli Authorities to protect all civilians sheltering in Gaza.
The statement came as the Israeli-imposed deadline for some 1.1 million civilians to leave the northern part of the enclave, ahead of what is expected to be a major advance into Gaza by Israeli ground forces, expired.
"UNRWA shelters in Gaza and northern Gaza are no longer safe. This is unprecedented," said the statement.
The agency reminded that according to the rules of warfare, civilians, hospitals, schools, clinics and United Nations premises cannot be a target.
"UNRWA is sparing no efforts to advocate with parties to the conflicts to meet their obligations under international law to protect civilians, including those seeking refuge in UNRWA shelters," the agency emphasized.
UNRWA pointed out that many of the vulnerable, particularly pregnant women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities simply will be unable to flee south.
'No choice'
"They have no choice and must be protected at all times."
More than 1,300 people were killed in Israel after Hamas fighters raided settlements close to Gaza last Saturday. In response, more than 2,200 have been killed during Israel's aerial offensive on Gaza, according to Palestinian authorities.
On Friday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said it would be "impossible" for civilians in Gaza to comply with the evacuation order without devastating humanitarian consequences.
The UN chief called on the world to unite in support of the fundamental principle of protecting civilians, and "finding a lasting solution to this unending cycle of death and destruction."
UN independent expert warns of 'mass ethnic cleansing'
An independent UN-appointed human rights expert warned on Saturday that Gaza's civilian population was now in grave danger of "mass ethnic cleansing" on the international community to urgently mediate a ceasefire.
"The situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel has reached fever pitch," said Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967.
She called on the UN and Member States to intensify efforts to mediate an immediate ceasefire between the parties, before "a point of no return" is reached.
The UN Human Rights Council-appointed expert reminded the international community of its responsibility to prevent and protect populations from atrocity crimes.
'Both deserve to live in peace'
"Time is of the essence. Palestinians and Israelis both deserve to live in peace, equality of rights, dignity and freedom," Ms. Albanese said. "Any continued military operations by Israel have gone well beyond the limits of international law. The international community must stop these egregious violations of international law now, before tragic history is repeated."
Special Rapporteurs and other independent experts work on a voluntary basis, they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work.
