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
number of displaced people in UNRWA schools has since gone beyond the
peak number from the 2008/9 conflict, and now exceeds 83,000 in 60
schools.”
“The
tragedy of the conflict continued to unfold in Gaza overnight as the
number of civilian fatalities increased yet again, with thousands
more distraught civilians displaced by the relentless violence. In
addition to ongoing fighting in the north of Gaza and in eastern Khan
Younis, two new Israeli ground incursions occurred over night – one
in the Middle Area and another in Shejaiha, east of Gaza City. At
08:00 there were a total four IDF incursions underway.”
“Shejaiha
was particularly badly affected with thousands of people reportedly
fleeing their homes this morning, as heavy bombardment from Israeli
tanks and artillery continued. The situation remains tense across
all of the five areas of Gaza. Medical authorities at Shifa
hospital reported that 300 injured people had already been received
at the hospital and confirmed 40
fatalities. Those numbers could increase
significantly as it is understood that there may be many more still
unable to evacuate from Shejaiha.”
“Hundreds
of civilians, including Palestine refugees, are also crowding in the
compound of Shifa Hospital – the main medical facility in the Gaza
Strip. The situation could not be more dire for the collapsed
health sector in Gaza, with this latest conflict only adding to the
burden on overwhelmed doctors and medical staff.”
“This
is the third war in five and a half years endured by the people of
Gaza. As with previous conflicts, there is nowhere for women, men and
children to escape to. The Strip is densely populated and the
seven-year Israeli-imposed blockade means that people’s movement to
and from Gaza remains virtually banned. Since July 2013, the
operation of Rafah crossing, at the southern end of the Strip, has
also been significantly reduced by the Egyptian authorities, citing
security concerns.”
“The
escalation of violence is now more acutely affecting UNRWA’s
regular operations. All UNRWA installations in Magazi and Bureij
refugee camps in the Middle Area are closed because of ongoing
security concerns. Two health clinics remain closed and another three
had operations disrupted after sustaining damage. A total of 18 UNRWA
installations were closed during the reporting period.”
“At
the moment, due to ongoing violence, it continues to be extremely
difficult to deliver supplies to Beit Hanoun in the very north of the
Gaza Strip, where more than 2,500 people are taking shelter in an
UNRWA school. Some efforts have been made to undertake local delivery
of goods within this area but access to it has so far been denied by
the Israeli authorities.”
“According
to the Protection Cluster, there were at
least 54 people killed over night, ten of whom were children –
seven boys and three girls. The total death toll since 8 July has
reached 368 people, with the Palestinian Ministry of
Public Health reporting about 2,295 injured. At
least 80 children are amongst the total dead. This number is expected
to rise, perhaps considerably, during the course of the day.”
“Reportedly,
there were 113 missiles, 961 navy shells and 1,045 tank shells
fired into the Gaza Strip. It is reported that 44 houses were
bombarded. 84 rockets and 35 mortar shells were fired towards
Israel.”
“A
total of 72 UNRWA installations have been damaged since 1 June, 2014.
In the past 24 hours, three UNRWA installations were damaged – one
school in Rafah, a school in the north of Gaza and a storehouse
holding NFIs [Non-food items], also in the north. It is
understood that none of the NFIs were lost, but the store was closed
after being damaged by airstrikes.”
Full
Report:
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