Gaza/ PNN/
The Gaza Strip remains engulfed in a devastating conflict, with heavy Israeli forces' bombardments persisting through air, sea, and land, according to the latest reports. The situation has forced civilians to flee to southern regions following evacuation warnings issued by Israeli authorities for the northern areas.
Efforts to secure humanitarian access for critical supplies into Gaza through Rafah are underway, aiming to deliver essential items such as food, water, medical supplies, fuel, and non-food items. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) continues to advocate for the respect of international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians.
As per the Palestinian Ministry of Health and open sources, the toll of casualties in Gaza continues to rise alarmingly. In just nine days, 2,329 Palestinians have lost their lives, averaging 259 deaths per day, or approximately 11 lives every hour. Simultaneously, the number of casualties in Israel has reached 1,300, with at least 3,621 reported injuries.
Disturbingly, 14 confirmed UNRWA staff members have lost their lives, and 23 UNRWA installations have been affected due to airstrikes across Gaza. The number of displaced individuals has surged to over one million, constituting nearly half of Gaza's total population. Unfortunately, UNRWA's capacity to provide assistance has been surpassed, with almost 400,000 IDPs seeking refuge in UNRWA facilities.
Despite the evacuation order issued by Israeli forces, an unknown number of IDPs remain in UNRWA schools in Gaza city and the North, where assistance and protection are no longer viable. Clean drinking water remains a critical concern, with severe shortages and limited access, compelling people to consume brackish water from agricultural wells, raising fears of waterborne diseases.
Gaza is grappling with an ongoing power crisis, enduring its fifth consecutive day without electricity. Vital services, including health, water, and sanitation, are teetering on the edge of collapse, exacerbating the food security situation. In response, UNRWA has dispatched an advance team to Egypt to prepare for the possible opening of a humanitarian corridor for supplying aid to the Strip.
In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the situation remains dire. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported 54 fatalities and over 1,100 injuries since Saturday, October 7. This marks the highest recorded number of Palestinian casualties in a single week since 2017. UNRWA persists in its operations within the West Bank, facing substantial access and movement restrictions imposed by Israeli forces.
The unfolding crisis urgently calls for international intervention to ensure the safety and well-being of civilians and facilitate immediate humanitarian access to the affected areas. The world watches with bated breath, hoping for a swift resolution to this devastating conflict and an end to the suffering endured by innocent lives.
