UNFPA: Situation in Gaza 'beyond catastrophic'
3 Min Read
The UN Population Fund's representative for Palestine emphasized after he visited Gaza this week that fear is everywhere in the besieged enclave.
-
Randa Baker, Right, who was displaced by the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, prepares the Iftar meal with her mother on the first day of Ramadan at a makeshift tent camp in the al-Mawasi area, southern Gaza, March 11, 2024. (AP)
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) said on March 15 that the situation in Gaza is “beyond catastrophic.”
UNFPA's Representative for Palestine, Dominic Allen, spoke in a virtual briefing addressing his most recent visit to Gaza, "What we see in Gaza is that it's a nightmare, which is much more than a humanitarian crisis. It is a crisis of humanity, and the situation is beyond catastrophic."
Allen stressed that in addition to the on-ground violence, disinformation is also a major hurdle.
"Having left Gaza this week, I can assure you that it's worse than I can describe or that the pictures can show or that you can imagine," he emphasized.
Allen added that it is impossible to describe the scenes in Gaza, stressing that people are hungry and in "very difficult" circumstances, as he is severely fearful and worried for 1 million women and girls.
As he further elaborated on the situation in the north of Gaza mainly, where Palestinians are grappling with death, he said, "Fear is just everywhere in Gaza, but especially for these pregnant women," adding that stillbirths have become more frequent.
"That's why the doctors and the midwives that I spoke to, they call for a humanitarian ceasefire," Allen said.
"Those mothers should be wrapping their arms around their children, those children should not be wrapped in body bags,” he emphasized about 70% of Palestinians killed in Gaza are women and children.
Israeli occupation massacres in Gaza are still ongoing
The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported on March 15 that there have been 13 massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, resulting in 149 martyrs and 300 injuries in 24 hours.
On the 161st day of the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, the Ministry announced that the aggression toll rose to 31,490 martyrs and 73,439 injuries.
It is noteworthy that the numbers only account for martyrs officially registered with the Ministry, and there may be a significant number of martyrs whose bodies have not yet been accounted for or reached hospitals.
In a statement released by the government media office in Gaza concerning those awaiting aid, it confirmed that within 48 hours, the occupying forces committed five massacres resulting in numerous casualties, including dozens of martyrs and over 300 wounded Palestinians.
