UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Masua, addressing ambassadors at the Security Council, gave an update on the situation in northern Gaza, where fighting has escalated.
Hospitals are running out of fuel and stocks of essential medical supplies and food items are also running out.
The patient was burned alive
Joyce Masua said that since she addressed the Security Council a week ago, the people of Gaza have been subjected to numerous incidents of Israeli attacks that have resulted in massive loss of life and property. About 400 people were killed and about 1,500 people were injured in these incidents.
The world also saw images of patients and displaced people being burned alive in shelter camps near Al Aqsa Hospital in the Israeli attack, and many others suffering severe burns.
Apart from this, more than 20 people were killed in an Israeli attack on a school converted into a shelter in Nusirat.
Displacement, Death and Trauma
Joyce Masua said, “Israeli military attacks in the north are intensifying. Heavy fighting has been reported in and around Jabalia, while Jabalia remains under siege. Palestinian armed groups are also firing rockets at Israel.
Around 55,000 people are estimated to have been displaced from the Jabaliya area, with many trapped in their homes and the availability of water and food supplies dwindling.
Joyce Masua said 13 members of a family were killed when Israeli forces on Tuesday prevented rescuers from trying to rescue people buried under the rubble of a destroyed building.
Concerns for pregnant women
Meanwhile, only three of the 10 hospitals in the northern Gaza governorate remain functional, even at reduced capacity. These hospitals are facing acute shortage of fuel, blood, shock treatment and medicine.
Joyce Masua draws attention to the plight of 155,000 pregnant and lactating women, particularly in Gaza, where giving birth is an exhausting and painful experience.
Obstacles to aid missions
Joyce Masua, Under-Secretary-General of the UN Relief Coordination Agency OCHA, said that in the past two weeks, Israel has conducted only one of the 54 previously agreed aid missions, in northern Gaza, near the Al Rashid border crossing. Approved through. Four other missions also encountered obstacles but were eventually completed.
He said 85 percent of aid missions were suspended and other missions were either disrupted or canceled due to security concerns.
Polio campaign continues
Meanwhile, according to the United Nations Health Organization – WHO, humanitarian aid agencies recently started the second phase of the campaign to administer polio vaccine doses in Gaza. About one lakh 57 thousand children have been dosed so far.
Joyce Mayusa said the vaccination campaign once again highlighted the crucial role of UNRWA, the United Nations aid agency for Palestinian refugees.