I am extremely concerned about the desperate situation of the people in Khan Younis. Notwithstanding the right to self-defence, there are rules, and international humanitarian law also applies in the fight against terrorists. Israel needs to respect these rules just like all other states in the world – even in a difficult environment in which Hamas is breaking them all and using people as human shields. Israel urgently needs to allow more humanitarian assistance into Gaza and adjust how it is conducting its operation. At Israel’s instruction, many hundreds of thousands of people have sought refuge in southern Gaza – in UN facilities and elsewhere.

These people cannot simply vanish into thin air. That is why a call to leave these places is not enough. What we need is a humanitarian pause – also so that all hostages can finally be released.