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

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
29 Dec 2023 00:32
5 Shares

Children in Gaza are facing life-threatening risks from hunger and thirst, particularly in Gaza City and its northern regions.

A Palestinian boy wounded in the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip is brought to a hospital in Rafah, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Hatem Ali)

The spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Adnan Abu Hasna disclosed harrowing statistics on 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).

"Every day is a struggle for survival, finding food and finding water" @TomWhiteGaza

📍#Gaza is grappling with catastrophic hunger. 40% of the population are now at risk of famine.

The reality is, we need more aid. The only remaining hope is a humanitarian #ceasefire https://t.co/8a5a4AjBt3
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) December 28, 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 further 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.

UNRWA reported a significant loss, with 142 staff members lost since the start of the Israeli aggression. Most of the losses, as indicated in a tweet on X, were killed alongside their families in the region.

In parallel, UNICEF highlighted the grim reality, stating that 83 Palestinian children lost their lives in the past 12 weeks. The organization expressed deep concern about 2023 potentially becoming the deadliest year for children in the West Bank.

Number of children killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, reaches unprecedented levels

Statement by UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Adele Khodrhttps://t.co/JhiQfhFIzg pic.twitter.com/970Pp9D0yK
— UNICEF MENA - يونيسف الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا (@UNICEFmena) December 28, 2023

UNICEF also issued a warning, emphasizing the severe water scarcity in Gaza, where children, in particular, lack 90% of their water needs. The destruction or damage to half of the water and sanitation facilities due to Israeli aggression exacerbates the crisis.

French newspaper Le Monde predicted a bleak future, foreseeing nearly half of Gaza's population entering a stage of "danger and famine." This scenario implies a sharp increase in malnutrition and a rise in the mortality rate by February 7th.

Earlier in the day, Ashraf al-Qudra, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health in the Gaza government, reported a grim milestone on the 83rd day of the Israeli aggression. The occupation committed 20 massacres within the past 24 hours against entire families, resulting in 210 martyrs and 360 injuries.