Mideast hostilities disrupt trade, deepen humanitarian needs

The latest escalation of violence in the Middle East disrupts maritime trade, flights, border crossings and regional supply chains for millions of people, while deepening humanitarian needs, UN humanitarians warned Thursday.



The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it was the humanitarian consequences of attacks, including those in and around the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb, that are of concern.



"Any further disruption could drive up humanitarian needs at a time when aid operations are already underfunded and overstretched," OCHA said, adding that the world body was following reports of attacks on critical civilian infrastructure.



"The widening impact of the escalation is putting more civilians at risk," OCHA said. "The UN calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians and civilian objects, and avoid disrupting the essential services on which civilians depend."



First responders in Gaza face severe constraints due to military operations, access restrictions and shortages of essential supplies, said OCHA.



In Gaza City, the Palestinian Civil Defense reported on Tuesday that it had recovered the bodies of five members of one family, including children, after an Israeli strike hit a building. The Civil Defense said its response capacity in Gaza governorate was no more than 25 percent, due to shortages of spare parts, engine oil and batteries needed to keep vehicles and equipment running.