Gaza, 8 November 2023 (TDI): The United Nations humanitarian agency (UNOCHA) has sounded the alarm on the dire and devastating situation unfolding in Gaza, where over 10,000 civilian casualties have been confirmed amidst escalating conflict.
The United Nations, along with its partners, is deeply concerned about the escalating violence and the impact it is having on the civilian population.
The situation is growing increasingly grave, demanding urgent international attention and coordinated efforts to address the immediate needs of the affected population.
As of November 7th, there were no operational bakeries in the northern region due to shortages of fuel, water, and wheat flour, compounded by widespread damage. Food security partners have been unable to assist in the north for the past seven days.
Ongoing attacks near hospitals in the area, where tens of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) have sought refuge, have severely limited the essential services available to them.
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Disturbingly, hospitals in the north are forced to perform intricate surgeries, such as amputations, without anesthesia, owing to the scarcity of medical supplies, as reported by the World Health Organization.
Between November 6th and November 7th, Gaza’s Ministry of Health (MoH) reported the tragic loss of 548 Palestinian lives. Among the deadliest incidents recorded overnight were three simultaneous strikes on residential buildings in the eastern part of Rafah.
Additionally, an airstrike targeted a neighborhood in central Khan Yunis, resulting in the reported deaths of 16 Palestinians.
This latest surge in violence has raised the overall reported fatality toll to 10,328 since the onset of hostilities, with 67 percent of the victims identified as children and women, according to MoH Gaza.
Alarmingly, around 2,450 individuals, including 1,350 children, have been reported missing, potentially trapped or deceased under the rubble, awaiting rescue or recovery efforts.
Approximately 1.5 million individuals in Gaza are currently displaced within the region. Among them, almost 725,000 have sought refuge in 149 UNRWA facilities, while another 122,000 have taken shelter in hospitals, churches, and public buildings.
An additional 131,134 people have found temporary accommodation in 94 non-UNRWA schools, and the remaining displaced individuals are staying with host families.
The overcrowding issue looms large, especially in the southern region where more than 557,000 people reside in 92 UNRWA facilities. These shelters are unable to accommodate new arrivals, exacerbating the crisis.
The Khan Younis Training Centre, the most densely populated UNRWA facility, is currently home to over 22,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs).
