The death toll in Israel from attacks by Palestinian armed
groups, and in Gaza due to Israeli bombardments, has
continued to rise, with mass displacement soaring across the
enclave, the UN humanitarian affairs coordination office, OCHA,
said on Wednesday.
Over a tenth of the population in Gaza, more than 260,000 people,
have been displaced since the start of the current conflict
on 7 October and the numbers are rising fast.
More than 175,000 people are sheltering in schools operated
by UNRWA, the UN agency for
Palestine refugees, which has some 13,000 staff in the enclave.
Nine UNRWA staff killed
UNRWA on Wednesday reported that the death toll among its
employees had risen to nine. The agency has repeatedly stressed
the importance of protecting civilians, including in conflict.
UNRWA is a lifeline for most of the roughly two million Palestine
refugees in Gaza, providing essential services such as education
and healthcare. The conflict has forced the closure of its 14
food distribution centres as well as a reduction in operations.
Speaking on Tuesday, UNRWA Director of Communications told UN
News that many staff are still working.
"We have people who are responding to the needs of the people in
the shelters. They're giving them mattresses, a place to sleep,
clean water, some food, in cooperation with the UN World Food
Programme (WFP)," she said.
A 'devastating' situation
WFP and other UN agencies have been calling for humanitarian
corridors and safe and unobstructed passage for their staff.
In the immediate aftermath of the conflict, WFP began
distributing fresh bread, canned food and ready-to-eat food to
roughly 100,000 people in UNRWA shelters. The goal is to reach
over 800,000 people which will require $17.3 million for
immediate response and nearly $45 million over the next six
months.
“The situation is devastating,” Samer Abdeljaber, Palestine
Country Director, said on Wednesday.
“We are on the ground doing everything we can to be sure the
people in need – the ones who fled their homes, the ones living
in shelters – are getting the food and help they need to
survive."
WFP will be rolling out assistance through electronic vouchers so
people can buy food from shops that are still open.
“We are doing everything we can but very soon the food supplies
and basic needs in Gaza are going to run out,” he said.
“We need the humanitarian corridor to be able to support the
people who are affected and their numbers are rising every day.
We need safe and unimpeded access.”
Political engagement continues
Meanwhile, senior UN officials, including the Special Coordinator
for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, continue
engagement with parties to the conflict and key stakeholders.
Mr. Wennesland held "productive meetings" on Wednesday with
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and other senior
officials, according to a post on his official
account on X, formerly Twitter.
He said the priority is to avoid further loss of civilian lives
and provide access for humanitarian aid into Gaza.
