UN: "Humanitarian Situation in Gaza Worsening"
About 68,000 new refugees have reportedly emerged just three days after Israel resumed large-scale airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated this in a situation report on the 21st (local time). Israel resumed airstrikes targeting the Palestinian armed group Hamas on the 18th. The first phase of a 42-day truce agreed with Hamas ended on the 1st of this month, and negotiations have stalled as Israel demanded an extension of the first phase, while Hamas insisted on a second phase conditioned on a complete withdrawal and the release of hostages.
The scope of evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military, warning of airstrikes, is expanding. Following evacuation orders in Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, orders were also issued for areas such as Khan Yunis in the south, leading to a continuous flow of refugees seeking protection facilities. The sudden influx of displaced people has sharply increased humanitarian aid needs, but the movement of relief supplies remains limited.
OCHA said, "For nearly three weeks, the entry of food, medicine, and fuel into the Gaza Strip has been blocked," adding, "Life-saving humanitarian supplies must be allowed in immediately."
The United Nations expressed concern that the humanitarian crisis would worsen if the ceasefire is not resumed. OCHA reported, "Bakeries in Gaza are about to close due to lack of raw materials, and pregnant women are at risk as they cannot obtain nutritional supplements," and "One in five babies born last month is suffering from complications such as low birth weight."
It continued, "Thirteen hospitals in Gaza are treating hundreds of trauma patients, and there are reports of blood shortages," adding, "Local aid workers are doing their best under the conditions to respond to the enormous humanitarian needs."
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