Gaza: ‘Incredible normalization’ of suffering, amid attacks on people and aid convoys
According to local media reports, 30 Palestinians were killed in central Gaza overnight on Friday as a result of airstrikes, said Louise Wateridge, Senior Emergency Officer of the Union’s Palestinian refugee agency. United Nations said. UNRWAspoke to reporters in Geneva from central Gaza.
“We have seen extremely horrifying images from the scene. There were parents looking for their children, children covered in dust and blood looking for their parents, many injured along with the reported number of casualties and people still buried under the rubble ”, she said.
The strikes took place just one day after the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
The number of children with leg amputations is the highest in the world
Ms. Wateridge described the situation as “absolutely appalling,” noting that such daily pain and suffering has become the norm for Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip.
Hospitals are overwhelmed, while doctors are struggling to treat life-threatening injuries, prevent infections and tackle treatable illnesses. The situation is exacerbated by severe shortages of essentials, including insulin, syringes and cancer treatment drugs.
“Gaza currently has the highest number of amputee children per capita in the world. Children are some of the hardest hit, with Gaza currently home to the highest number of child amputees per capita globally,” Ms Wateridge said.
“Many people lost limbs. And in situations like this, they have to undergo surgeries without anesthesia. I talked to the doctors at Nasser hospital. This is the largest semi-functional hospital currently in the Gaza Strip. And they completely lost their temper.”
According to UNRWA, nearly 26,000 people have suffered life-changing injuries in the past 14 months – all requiring rehabilitation services, especially for amputations and spinal cord injuries , according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Already in May 2024, more than one in five households in Gaza reported having at least one family member with a disability, with 58,000 disabled people identified in the official database of the Central Bureau of Statistics Palestine.
Despite continued attacks on its facilities and staff, “UNRWA here remains one of the largest health organizations operating in the Gaza Strip,” Ms. Wateridge explained.
“UNRWA is providing 6.7 million medical consultations throughout this fight,” she said, noting that laboratory services are currently limited to just three tests, out of 35 before Conflict broke out in October 2023.
Looting while famine lurks
Food insecurity also remains a pressing concern in Gaza. Experts from the United Nations-collaborated Integrated Phased Famine Assessment Committee (IPC) have warned of impending famine in the northern Gaza Strip.
“It’s been 14 months. People here are literally surviving on bread, lentils, food in tin cans. We don’t see fruits and vegetables around…In just the past four months, nearly 19,000 children were hospitalized for acute malnutrition”, Ms. Wateridge said.
Attacks on the aid convoy on Thursday claimed the lives of several guards, leaving only one truck out of 70 able to deliver food, hygiene supplies and tents to residents. Gaza, following a successful United Nations inter-agency aid delivery the previous day.
“We went from having a very successful convoy of 105 trucks carrying food and flour to the people and UNRWA distributing all this relief to a completely opposite situation.Citing looting and other safety risks, Ms. Wateridge said, she was unable to reach her intended destination.
UNRWA staff organize relief supplies in Gaza.
Leaving amidst many difficulties
Meanwhile, UNRWA continues to be the backbone of medical and humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip even as its staff risk their lives every day.
“We had colleagues killed. My colleague had a relative killed”, Ms. Wateridge explained. “The suffering continues. The sadness continues. It is very difficult to continue operating in this situation for everyone, for all humanitarian workers.”
Separately, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory said he was very concerned about the rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Gaza, noting that many attacks has recently resulted in many deaths and many injuries.
Muhannad Hadi also expressed concern about the unrest that has hampered United Nations aid convoys, two of which were looted on Wednesday.
He said the principles of distinction, proportionality and prevention in attacks must always be respected, and called on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians and the smooth delivery of humanitarian aid. safely and without hindrance.
Situation in Northern Gaza
United Nations Office of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHAreports that since the intensification of Israeli military operations in Northern Gaza province two months ago, all UN efforts to gain access to besieged areas have been rejected or obstructed by Israeli authorities.
Since October 6, the United Nations and partners have attempted to coordinate 137 delegations to northern regions and 124 delegations have been completely rejected. The remaining 13 projects were approved but then faced obstacles during implementation.
The United Nations has sent 16 requests since last Monday and almost all have been flatly rejected. The only mission that was given the green light was prevented from moving into all areas it was intended to reach.
“OCHA emphasized once again that humanitarian movements must be facilitated throughout Gazaincluding areas in the north, where thousands of Palestinians are facing an apocalyptic situation after nearly 10 weeks of siege,” the agency said.
