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:
“UNRWA
mourns the death of its eighth staff member. Whilst displaced from
his home, he worked in the emergency shelter team in the Jabalia
school which was shelled in the morning of 30 July. He died of his
injuries. It is reported that 15 people including 4 children died in
the attack on the school which was supposed to provide a safe haven
for about 3,300 individuals. The Agency commends the
outstanding dedication of its staff who continue to report to work
under the most difficult personal circumstances and in an increasing
deteriorating security environment. Like all Gazans, UNRWA staff have
lost loved ones, had their homes destroyed or shelter those who have
nowhere else to go. Most of the time, staff have no water or
electricity at home and come to work after sleepless nights because
of the incessant shelling, and with uncertainty whether they will see
their home and family again.”
“There
are 86 UNRWA emergency shelters, housing 225,178 IDPs [Internally
Displaced Persons], an increase of 10 per cent in 24
hours.”
“To
date, the total number of Palestinian deaths reported by the UN
stands at 1,274. This figure has risen by 144
compared to that reported in the previous 24 hour period.
The number of wounded, as reported by the Ministry of Health, has
reached 7,700.”
“On
29 July, a four-hour humanitarian ceasefire was unilaterally declared
by Israel but was not accepted by Hamas as it did not extend to the
entire Gaza Strip but was limited to those parts where forces were
not engaged in hostilities. During the
humanitarian pause fighting continued, with Israel bombing the market
in the Shujaieh neighborhood of Gaza City, causing significant loss
of life. Also, the UNRWA compound was impacted by
fragmentation of air strikes in the close proximity.”
“Reportedly
there were 100 rockets and 88 mortar shells fired towards Israel.
There were also reports that 135 air-to-ground missiles were fired
into Gaza in addition to 115 navy shells. The IDF –
inside Gaza or positioned at the border – fired 1,205 tank shells
in to populated areas. Reportedly, 43 houses were
bombarded.”
“Five
additional UNRWA installations were reported damaged during this
period, all of them schools. An estimated 106 UNRWA installations
have been damaged since 1 June, 2014, many of them on multiple
occasions. UNRWA is still to verify this number when the security
situation allows.”
“Following
the escalation in violence between Gaza and Israel in November 2012
an understanding was reached between Hamas and Israel, mediated by
Egypt. 2013 was subsequently the quietest year in a decade, in terms
of hostilities between Israel and Gaza. Events in 2014, however, have
led to a profound deterioration in the situation.”
“The
Israeli blockade of Gaza entered its 8th year in June 2014 and
continues to have a devastating effect as access to markets and
people’s movement to and from the Gaza Strip remain severely
restricted. The economy and its capacity to create jobs has been
devastated, with the majority of the population becoming dependent on
humanitarian aid to meet basic needs. The number of Palestine
refugees relying on UNRWA for food aid has increased from fewer than
80,000 in 2000 to over 830,000 today.”
Full
Report:
Comments
Post a Comment