24
hour reports by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)
Due to
the dramatic escalation in violence over the past few days and the
massive assault on Gaza, UNRWA has declared an emergency in all five
areas of the Gaza Strip. It is closely monitoring the situation and
stands ready to mount an emergency response should that become
necessary. The priority for the Agency has now shifted to emergency
operations, providing assistance to those who have been displaced and
sought shelter in UNRWA schools, while attempting to continue regular
operations. Urgent funding needs persist and are increasing
Key
parts:
“The
ceasefire was broken. 3 rockets were reportedly fired this
afternoon from Gaza. There are reports of Israeli airstrikes in
North, Gaza, Middle and Khan Younis.”
“The
uncertainty about a potential resumption of hostilities, and the fear
of a return to the status quo of the blockade, continue to have a
severe impact on the population of Gaza. Palestinians feel that,
even if they are lucky enough to survive, there is nothing to look
forward to and there is no future in the Gaza Strip. Lifting the
blockade and ending the collective punishment of the Gaza population
is imperative.”
“Robert
Serry, the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Process, said
yesterday in his briefing to the UN Security Council (link is
external) that while the temporary ceasefire has granted civilians a
reprieve for the past days, 'it has taken too much time, and too many
lives to achieve.' He stated it remained his 'conviction that we
must not leave Gaza in the condition it was in before this latest
escalation. Otherwise, the restrictions on the Strip – on exit and
entry of goods and people – will continue to fuel instability,
underdevelopment and conflict, and I am afraid the next escalation
will be just a matter of time.'”
“Today
marks World Humanitarian Day, an annual occasion dedicated by the UN
General Assembly to recognize humanitarian personnel and those who
have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. In his
statement, James Rawley, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator,
commemorated the 30 Palestinian colleagues,
including 11 UNRWA personnel, which have been killed in the line of
duty over the past weeks.”
“The
past weeks witnessed the largest displacement in the Gaza Strip since
the beginning of the Israeli occupation in 1967, with one third of
the total population displaced at the peak of hostilities.
As of yesterday afternoon, over 238,000 IDPs were sheltered in 81
UNRWA schools, and with the expiry of the 5 days ceasefire
immanent, many more Palestinians living close to the fence fled to
UNRWA shelters over night searching for safety.”
“Pending
a lasting ceasefire, which will allow the UNRWA engineers to
undertake shelter assessments, it is estimated that about 100,000
Palestinians have lost their homes. Based on these figures, UNRWA is
expecting some 65,000 to 70,000 Palestinian to stay in the UNRWA
schools as they have no home and nowhere to return.”
“Since
the last update, the Protection Cluster has recorded one additional
fatality. According to UN information, the cumulative death toll
among Palestinians stands at 1976. 1417 are believed to be civilians,
including 459 children and 239 women.”
“Besides
the incessant sound of drones, calm prevailed over the Gaza
Strip. People are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the Cairo talks.”
“The
Gaza Strip relies on water supply from the underlying aquifer which
has been over pumped for decades. By 2020 at the latest, Gaza will
be effectively without water. Most of Gaza's households have
little or no water supply, and if available, the water is
contaminated and unfit for human consumption.”
“The
health surveillance report includes 16 health issues of concern, up
from an initial 9. Included is bloody diarrhea, diarrhea for
under/above 5 years old, typhoid fever, acute viral hepatitis,
cholera suspected/confirmed, measles, scabies, impetigo, lice, acute
flaccid paralysis, viral meningitis suspected/confirmed, acute
respiratory infection and mumps.”
“UNRWA’s
regular food distribution to a total caseload of over 830,000
beneficiaries continued. Food rations were provided to 4,173
families through all 12 UNRWA distribution centers.”
“14
of 21 health centers were operating. 94 per cent of the staff
reported to work, and 19,685 patients were served.”
“UNRWA
estimates that 108 installations have been damaged since 8 July 2014.
Out of the 108 installations, 62 have been inspected by UNMAS [United
Nations Mine Action Service], with 59 installations cleared for UNRWA
engineers to conduct assessments. With thousands of unexploded
weapons littered across the Gaza Strip, unexploded ordnance is posing
life-threatening risks to the population. Training of UNRWA staff
on explosive remnants of war started yesterday in Rafah and will
continue today in Khan Younis.”
Full
Report:
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