'Nowhere is safe in Gaza'; north, middle, south: UNRWA official

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: BBC
30 Dec 2023 16:45
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Juliette Touma of the UN Aid Agency UNRWA says a significant number of Palestinians are forced to live in open spaces, parks, and even in their cars.

A Palestinian mother with her children wounded in the Israeli bombardment of Gaza was brought to a hospital in Khan Younis on November 12, 2023. (AP)

Juliette Touma of the UN Aid Agency UNRWA said, as quoted by BBC, that over 1.4 million people forcibly displaced by the Israeli aggression are currently residing in UNRWA facilities, primarily repurposed schools.

As the Israeli aggression persists, many have sought shelter anywhere available, including streets and overcrowded apartments housing up to 70 people, and those with financial means are renting rooms, she added.

Tragically, a significant number are forced to live in open spaces, parks, and even in their cars, as the quest for safety remains elusive due to the absence of secure zones in Gaza, as per Touma.

"Nowhere is safe in Gaza, not the north, not the middle, and not the south," Touma said.

UNRWA: 5% of Gaza's population either martyred, wounded or missing

The spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Adnan Abu Hasna disclosed harrowing statistics last Thursday, revealing that 5% of Gaza's population is now categorized as either martyrs, wounded, or missing.

The spokesperson further emphasized the dire humanitarian situation exacerbated by a surge in intestinal diseases (quadrupled), respiratory diseases (quintupled), and skin diseases (tripled).

#UNRWA Spokesperson Adnan Abu Hasna disclosed harrowing statistics on Thursday, revealing that 5% of #Gaza's population is now categorized as either martyrs, wounded, or missing.

Abu Hasna further underscored the catastrophic humanitarian situation, noting a significant increase… pic.twitter.com/3sNPMSSXFB
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 29, 2023

He also drew attention to the alarming prevalence of meningitis among children and epidemic hepatitis resulting from the consumption of contaminated water. Abu Hasna highlighted the agency's efforts to provide humanitarian aid twice a week, yet the widespread state of hunger persists.

Revealing a concerning trend, UNRWA's spokesperson disclosed that a significant portion of the Gaza population is being pushed towards the border city of Rafah, home to approximately 250,000 people. This demographic shift raises serious issues at multiple levels.

Children in Gaza are facing life-threatening risks from hunger and thirst, particularly in Gaza City and its northern regions. Access to even one daily meal is becoming increasingly scarce, compelling families to resort to unsafe and unhealthy cooking methods.