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
past 24 hours marked the deadliest period since the current
escalations of violence began, with 107
Palestinians killed, including 23 women and 35 children. Tragically,
the total number of children killed in the current conflict has now
passed 100 and represents almost one quarter of all Palestinian
fatalities. 13 Israeli soldiers were reportedly killed in this 24-
hour period.”
“The
densely populated Shejayeh area, in the Eastern part of Gaza City
suffered the most extreme levels of violence during this period, with
at least 72 Palestinians killed (38 men,
13 women and 21 children) in a major escalation of the IDF ground
offensive. A brief humanitarian pause to evacuate the
wounded and dead was only partially implemented, with rescuers
reportedly unable to access some areas of Shejayeh to provide
assistance. Scenes at Shifa Hospital following the escalation in
Shejayeh have been widely reported, with hospital staff overwhelmed
with mass casualties.”
“An
expanded IDF ground offensive has resulted in an exponential increase
in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs); it is estimated that up to
half of Shejayeh’s residents fled their homes in reported scenes of
panic during this period. The number of displaced Palestinians in
UNRWA shelters across the Gaza Strip climbed sharply from 63,000 on
20 July to 84,843 on 21 July. This sharp increase has presented
significant challenges to UNRWA operations, with shelters overwhelmed
with huge numbers of displaced.”
“The
scope of displacement is expected to further increase, with a ground
offensive in place in six areas of the Gaza Strip. In Beit Hanoun the
ground offensive now reaches to 1000 meters inside Gazan territory.
In Middle Area, leaflets were dropped by the IDF in Maghazi Camp
overnight requesting residents to leave their homes, and raising
concerns of a possible expansion of the ground offensive in that
area.”
“The
continuing conflict is having an impact on delivery of basic
services. Despite strong commitment from UNRWA sanitation staff, the
Agency is struggling to maintain solid waste management operations in
the context of ongoing escalations in violence and high numbers of
IDPs in shelters. This presents a potential serious public health
risk.”
“The
ongoing conflict also presents a major concern regarding the risk of
Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) [explosive weapons that did not explode
when they were employed and still pose a risk of detonation],
especially to children. UNRWA is providing basic UXO awareness in
shelters and will delivering a more comprehensive awareness program
once current hostilities cease.”
“Reportedly,
there were 101 rockets and 37 mortar shells fired towards Israel.
IAF [Israeli Air Force] conducted 131 raids firing 182 missiles.
Israeli navy fired 146 shells; and 721 tank shells were fired. 66
houses were bombarded.”
“A
total of 75 UNRWA installations have been damaged since 1 June, 2014.
In the past 24 hours, three UNRWA installations were damaged – one
school in Bureij, a school in Nuseirat and the Microfinance Office in
Middle Area.”
Full
Report:
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