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:
“There
is no safe place in Gaza. The bombardment of populated areas
continues day and night, with the IDF sending messages through
leaflets, phone calls or mobile phone texts warning civilians to stay
away from terrorists and terror infrastructure as the IDF will
continue their attacks. Last night, the IDF carried out several
strikes including on Rafah in Southern Gaza where a commercial
center, located less than 30 meters away from an UNRWA school serving
as a shelter, was completely destroyed. The IDF phone calls
received by residents in the neighbourhood and by UNRWA staff were
just minutes prior to the attack, causing major panic
amongst the shelter population. Past midnight, all 1,416
displaced self-evacuated to another UNRWA school.”
“The
Gaza Strip is one of the most densely populated areas in the world,
with some 4,700 inhabitants per square kilometer. With the Gaza Strip
effectively sealed off, removing the option of fleeing the costal
enclave, and the East side of the Gaza Strip (former buffer zone)
severely damaged and scattered with unexploded ordnance, the
continuous offensive to the West of the former buffer zone will leave
people with simply nowhere to go.”
“According
to preliminary information recorded by the Protection Cluster, the
cumulative death toll among Palestinians stands at 2,062. 1,450 –
70 per cent – are believed to be civilians, including 482 children
and 250 women.”
“School
bells were ringing this morning at 07:00 in all 85 UNRWA emergency
shelters in Gaza to mark what should have been the first day of
school. This was a reminder to everyone that, despite the war, every
child in Gaza has the right to education.”
“Education
in Gaza was at a crisis point even prior to the current emergency.
The ongoing conflict has seen at least 79 UNRWA schools damaged,
and 85 functioning as shelters, where the Agency is currently
sheltering 292,959 people, including about 75,000 school-aged
children between 6 and 14.”
“The
Israeli blockade of Gaza has prevented much needed new schools from
being built and if it is not lifted at the conclusion of the war, it
will impair reconstruction efforts.”
“14
of 21 health centers were operating. 80 per cent of the staff
reported to work, and 17,304 patients were served on 24 August.”
“Reportedly,
there were 89 rockets and 24 mortar shells fired towards Israel.
There were also reports that 170 air-to-ground missiles were fired
into Gaza in addition to 40 navy shells. 105 tank shells
were fired from the fence into populated areas. Reportedly, 23 houses
were bombarded.”
“Data
on damage to UNRWA installations is based on preliminary information
and subject to change based on further verification. UNRWA
estimates that 109 installations have been damaged since 8 July 2014.
Two UNRWA schools in Deir el Balah and Rafah, which were previously
damaged during the war, sustained additional damages. One of the
schools serves as a designated emergency shelter.”
Full
Report:
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