the warning from Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner General of UNRWA UNRWA prompted by new evacuation orders from the Israeli military, “many refused because they knew too well that nowhere in Gaza was safe”.
This development took place in the context of local authorities reporting heavy Israeli bombing in the north of the devastated area, where ground operations were also underway. Jabalia refugee camp is under siege, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said over the weekend, before issuing an evacuation order on Tuesday.
Strikes were also reported in Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun, towns in northeastern Gaza, as roads were also closed.
Mr. Lazzarini: “Intensified military activities in the north are forcing us to close life-saving services.” said on social networks on Wednesday.
He added that seven of the UN agency’s shelters converted into schools were being evacuated, while only two of eight water wells in the Jabalia camp were still operational. About 400,000 people are believed to remain in northern Gaza.
“Children are always the first and most severely affectedThe UNRWA chief said, adding that hunger is “widening and deepening again” because “basic supplies are almost non-existent.”
According to local health authorities in Gaza, at least 45 people were killed and 130 injured in the past 24 hours. Since Hamas-led terrorist attacks at multiple locations in Israel left some 1,250 people dead and more than 250 taken hostage, the death toll in Gaza is believed to have reached at least 42,000. . Another 97,700 people suffered injuries, often life-changing injuries.
Devastation in Lebanon
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, the United Nations aid coordination office, OCHAreported “relentless” and “amplified” bombardment of previously unaffected areas, amid ongoing rocket attacks on Israel by Hezbollah.
OCHA said: “In just one day – October 6 – more than 30 airstrikes hit the southern suburbs of Beirut and surrounding areas, causing panic and forcing further displacement from the areas. densely populated areas, including the Shatila Palestinian refugee camp. update published on Wednesday.
Latest data from the Ministry of Health shows more than 2,083 collective deaths and 9,869 injuries since October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah fire increased on northern Israel as the war in Gaza raged . Most of the casualties in Lebanon occurred in the past two weeks, amid intense Israeli bombing and ground operations in southern Lebanon.
According to the United Nations human rights office, OHCHR25% of Lebanese territory is affected by the Israeli army’s evacuation order. Relocation orders are issued “daily” for more than 100 villages and municipalities across southern Lebanon, forcing residents to flee and pushing many up to 30 kilometers north.
Large displacement
OCHA reports that a total of about 1.2 million people are currently internally displaced, with 180,700 people seeking refuge in 978 shelters, 775 of which are at full capacity. The violence has also delayed the start of the school year, while the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEFsaid about 350,000 children were displaced.
“Widespread civilian harm is occurring as a result of explosive weapons in populated areas and mandatory evacuation orders,” OCHA noted. “Urgent action is needed to protect civilians from escalating violence and ensure that humanitarian and aid workers can safely deliver vital support.”
