UN: 338,000 have been displaced in Gaza after Israeli bombardment

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
12 Oct 2023 09:15
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Displaced individuals have sought refuge in UNRWA schools, churches, or relatives' houses.

Destruction from Israeli aerial bombardment is seen in Gaza City, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023 (AP)

The United Nations announced today, Thursday, that more than 338,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in Gaza due to intense Israeli shelling.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that the number of displaced people in the densely populated Gaza Strip, with a population of 2.3 million, increased on Wednesday by approximately 75,000 additional people, reaching a total of 338,934 displaced individuals.

The statement explained that nearly 220,000 people, or two-thirds of the displaced, sought refuge in schools managed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in the Gaza Strip. In comparison, nearly 15,000 people sought refuge in schools managed by the Palestinian Authority.

#BREAKING | Israeli media: Missiles landed in " HaSharon". #Palestine #OperationAlAqsaFlood pic.twitter.com/n9AGlgQO1c
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 12, 2023

As for the remaining displaced individuals, more than 100,000 people found shelter with relatives and neighbors and inside churches and other facilities in the city of Gaza.

UNOCHA stated that even before the current Israeli shelling campaign, there were approximately 3,000 displaced individuals inside the Gaza Strip.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs quoted the Ministry of Public Works and Housing in Gaza as saying that the intense Israeli bombardment destroyed at least 2,540 housing units, rendering them uninhabitable, and that another 22,850 housing units sustained medium to minor damage.

The United Nations agency also expressed concern about the significant damage inflicted on the infrastructure.

The 95-year-old Israeli reservist who was hailed by the world for his dedication has been killing #Palestinians his whole life.#Palestine #GazaUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/LZgMmoM9j6
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 12, 2023

The statement pointed out that sanitary facilities, serving more than one million people, have been targeted by air raids, leading to the accumulation of solid waste in the streets, and posing health risks.

Additionally, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, called for the passage of essential supplies such as fuel, water, and food to civilians in Gaza.

Guterres posted on X, saying, "We need humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip quickly and without hindrance."

Crucial life-saving supplies – including fuel, food and water -- must be allowed into Gaza.

We need rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access now.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) October 11, 2023

Guterres also expressed his gratitude to Egypt "for its constructive participation in facilitating the entry of aid through the Rafah Crossing and El-Arish Airport."