In a warning, the World Food Program (WFP) describes “declining” markets across the region. “Fresh food, eggs and meat are virtually non-existent and prices of any food available have reached record highs”, the UN agency said on X, just a few days since UN-backed famine experts warn that thing The famine threshold may have been crossed in northern Gazaor will soon.
The north starved to death
The UN aid coordination office said: “Until November, all UN efforts to reach besieged areas in northern Gaza with food and medical missions attempts to assist the tens of thousands remaining there were either denied or hindered.” OCHArecorded in the latest information update.
The development comes as the Israel Defense Forces continued their offensive in northern Gaza until Wednesday, where United Nations aid groups recalled people fleeing attacks and Evacuation orders in Beit Hanoun to Gaza City now take refuge in unsafe schools that could collapse at any time. In October alone, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recorded 64 attacks on schools, “mostly shelters for displaced people”.
According to OCHA, up to 130,000 people have been displaced from northern Gaza amid increased Israeli attacks on residential buildings and repeated evacuation orders.
United Nations humanitarians have told UN News that dogs have been seen attacking corpses lying in open fields, while access to health care across Gaza remains precarious, with the United Nations reproductive health agency, UNFPAtogether with partners, indicate one recent increases in preterm birth and maternal mortality rates.
‘Non-stop struggle’
“More than 155,000 expectant and new mothers are constantly struggling with extreme exhaustion, trauma and hunger,” UNFPA said. The situation worsened as less than half of Gaza’s 36 hospitals were partially operational, with only 47 hospitals. out of 133 primary health centers, according to United Nations World Health Organization (WHO).
Since Hamas-led terrorist attacks and hostage taking in Israel sparked the war in Gaza 13 months ago, more than 43,469 people have been killed in Gaza; WHO noted most were civilians and at least 10,000 people remained trapped under the rubble of their homes and shelters.
Israeli attacks kill dozens of people every day in Lebanon
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, UN aid agencies warned that at least 241 people were killed and 642 injured in the week to November 11 “as a result of Israeli airstrikes”.
Citing Lebanese authorities, OCHA’s latest update on the state of emergency added that In total, nearly 3,300 people died – including 203 children and 644 women. – with 14,222 injured as of October 8, 2023.
“At least one child was killed and 10 injured every day in Lebanon in October 2024 alone,” the UN agency continued, underscoring the call of the UN children’s agency UNICEF to the warring parties “to meet their obligations under international humanitarian law and protect the children”.
Despite such calls, Israeli attacks continue across Lebanon against Hezbollah militants, along with attacks on Israel by the Lebanon-based group. Violence continues to “claim lives, forcing communities to flee their homes and critical infrastructure,” OCHA said.
“Intensified Israeli air strikes have had a major impact on the provinces of South Lebanon, Nabatieh, Bekaa, Baalbeck-Hermel and Mount Lebanon.
An airstrike targeting a residential building in northern Lebanon’s Akkar on November 11 reportedly killed at least 18 people and injured 14, the news agency added, citing Lebanese authorities. “On November 10, an attack on a house sheltering displaced families in the town of Aalmat in Jbeil, Mount Lebanon Province, killed at least 23 people, including seven children. ”
Homes ‘constantly targeted’
In the past weeks Residential buildings hosting displaced people were “repeatedly targeted”UN humanitarian coordinators stressed, citing an attack in Aito-Zgharta, northern Lebanon, and in Barja-Chouf, Mount Lebanon, “that claimed the lives of more than 40 people”.
The United Nations peacekeeping mission monitors the Blue Line separating Lebanon and Israel, UNITalso reported “multiple violations” since violence escalated in late September. “This includes more than half a dozen direct attacks on peacekeepers”, OCHA reported.
The most recent incident occurred on November 8, when two excavators and a bulldozer from the Israeli army destroyed part of the fence and concrete structure at the UNIFIL position in Ras Naqoura.
Attacks on healthcare providers
In addition to attacks on civilian shelters, airstrikes on medical facilities and personnel continued to be recorded by WHO, disrupting operations at 127 medical facilities and 8 hospitals, reduces the functions of 9 hospitals. According to WHO, in the first week of November there were attacks on medical services, killing 2 medical workers and injuring 7 people.
Since mid-September 2024, the Healthcare Attacks Monitoring System (SSA) has reported 44 attacks on healthcare facilities, resulting in 63 injuries and 91 deaths, bringing the total number of attacks against health care facilities to 103, resulting in 123 injuries and 145 deaths since eight years ago. October 2023.
The head of the peacekeeping force visits UNIFIL headquarters
UN Peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix met with some of the thousands of ‘blue helmets’ serving in southern Lebanon with the UNIFIL delegation on Wednesday.
“He spoke to peacekeepers injured in direct attacks and gun battles between the IDF and Hezbollah,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
“He visited the UN posts in Mansouri and the Mission’s headquarters in Naqoura.
He also met with UNIFIL staff who continue to support the mission’s work in Naqoura and with the mission’s senior leadership. He also expressed his gratitude to both military and civilian personnel of UNIFIL for their dedication and commitment to the important work of the Mission during this exceptionally difficult time.”
On Tuesday, he met with Lebanon’s interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati along with Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and Head of the Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon, General Aroldo Lázaro.
“The three emphasized the importance of UNIFIL’s role and emphasized its importance resolution 1701”, Mr. Dujarric added.
