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 Palestinians killed stands at 1,814, with 37 new fatalities
reported by the Protection Cluster. Of the new reported fatalities, 9
are children and 3 are women. The Ministry of Health
reports that 9,567 are injured.”
“For
the first time during this crisis, the overall IDP number in the 90
UNRWA shelters decreased from almost 273,000 last night to below
270,000 this morning 5 August. The numbers remain fluid as IDPs are
expected to return to the shelter if they find their homes
inhabitable or otherwise unsafe, or if hostilities resume. UNRWA is
expecting that a core group of displaced, who have nowhere else to
go, will stay in UNRWA schools.”
“90
of UNRWA’s 156 school buildings serve as shelters, and the
remaining schools are either within the buffer zone or otherwise
inaccessible. The military escalation and level of destruction
is unprecedented, and the future of the Gaza Strip is entirely
uncertain. The war hit Gaza at a time of a governance vacuum, with a
National Consensus Government in place since 2 June 2014 which had
never assumed power. The challenges remain huge, ranging
from salary payments to staff including the police and teachers, who
have not seen full salaries for one year, to border security,
electricity and water supply. If the end of hostilities
does not come with a policy change to the Israeli blockade, there is
no more hope for Gaza.”
“UNRWA,
in cooperation with partners and donors, continued to distribute both
potable and non-potable water to emergency shelters but struggles
to provide sufficient water quantity to almost 270,000 IDPs at a time
when there is almost no electricity and the water network is severely
damaged.”
“UNRWA’s
food distribution to a total caseload of over 830,000
beneficiaries continued. Food rations were provided to 2,849
families.”
“Reportedly,
there were 92 rockets and 30 mortar shells fired towards Israel.
There were also reports that 32 air-to-ground missiles were fired
into Gaza in addition to 25 navy shells. 178 tank shells were fired
from the border area into populated areas. Reportedly, 7 houses were
bombarded.”
“Two
additional UNRWA installations were reported damaged during this
period. UNRWA estimates that 97 installations have been damaged
since 8 July in 140 strikes, including 11 direct strikes. Data on
damage to UNRWA installations is based on preliminary information and
subject to change based on further verification.”
Full
Report:
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