The United Nations Palestine Refugee Agency – UNRWA – has described the recent scene in Gaza as "the end of the world".
Ongoing heavy fighting in northern Gaza has now forced some 84,000 people to flee eastern Gaza City for days, while also cutting off access to a vital aid distribution centre, UN humanitarian agencies said on Monday.
According to reports, the Israeli military has been heavily bombarding the Shujaiya district in the east of Gaza City for several days, and Israeli military tanks have been spotted about 100 meters east of the Salah al-Din Road, the main north-south axis.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, the UN agency for Palestine refugees, said: "People in this area are telling us that famine is imminent and that some are eating leaves to survive. “
Grief and loss
Louise Wateridge, UNRWA's senior communications officer, described the destruction in the affected area, which covers an area of about seven square kilometres. "It's the end of the world – most people have lost their homes, some completely, some in part, and have had to flee with very little possessions, basically what they can hold," she said. Many have lost their families."
"Pregnant women and people with disabilities are the most vulnerable groups because they cannot be easily transferred during forced displacement," she said. In addition, the thousands of unaccompanied and separated children are a major concern. ”
Due to its proximity to the front line, the violence also denied the agency access to its distribution center in the Tufa community in Gaza City.
Of the approximately 84,000 currently displaced, some 10,000 have found shelter in 27 locations, including UNRWA schools, while others have taken refuge in Government-run schools, buildings and vacant lots.
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
Forced to leave again
Nine months ago, Hamas had escalated the conflict by terrorist attacks and hostage-taking in various parts of southern Israel, and UNRWA had distributed water, food parcels and flour to help those who had been forced to leave their homes.
Vatich said that today it is planned to distribute diapers, mattresses and tarpaulins. She noted that some of the fuel needed by UNRWA had been delivered on Sunday via the fenced road separating Gaza and Israel.
Humanitarian agencies say a limited amount of diesel has been brought into Gaza for use in hospital generators and desalination plants, but the demand remains enormous.
According to the latest information from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, restrictions on movement, insecurity and ongoing hostilities continue to severely hamper the delivery of essential humanitarian assistance and services across Gaza.
"This includes providing critical food and nutrition assistance, medical care, temporary shelter support, and water, sanitation and hygiene services to hundreds of thousands of people in need," OCHA said. ”
Of the more than 100 humanitarian aid operations planned to northern Gaza this month, Israeli authorities have facilitated less than half of them, the agency said. The rest were either blocked, denied entry, or canceled for logistical, operational or security reasons.
OCHA also noted that a military operation in the al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis, resulted in dozens of casualties, with at least 5,000 people displaced by a nearby field hospital, according to local partners.
Destruction of the scene
UNRWA noted that Israeli military operations in Rafah had been ongoing since last month and that southern Gaza "now resembles a post-apocalyptic scenario in the north and Gaza City".
Watich explained that UNRWA, the largest UN aid agency in Gaza, continues to provide "as many humanitarian services and supplies as possible – providing food, health care, and even learning activities for children; But because of the Israeli siege, it is almost impossible for the United Nations to provide any form of response.
"Lack of fuel; lack of aid; lack of security; and all the difficulties faced by our staff. They themselves are struggling to survive this war. ”