The recorded number of fatalities from healthcare attacks by the World Health Organization (WHO) is 613.

Christian Lindmeier, a spokesperson for WHO, expressed disapproval of the ongoing violence and bombings. He stated that the constant restriction of humanitarian aid and attacks on healthcare facilities are causing the people of Gaza to reach their limit.

The lives of children in the Gaza Strip are at risk from a triple threat, including increasing disease, declining nutrition, and the ongoing violence for the past fourteen weeks.

Many children have lost their lives due to the violence, and the living conditions for children are getting worse at a fast pace. There are more cases of diarrhoea and children are facing food poverty, which increases the likelihood of more child deaths.

by floods

Numerous establishments affected by flooding.

The online platform of WHO reported 304 attacks on healthcare in the Gaza Strip since October 7th. These attacks caused damage to 94 healthcare facilities, including 26 out of 36 hospitals, and 79 ambulances were affected.

In the West Bank, there were 286 attacks resulting in seven fatalities and 52 injuries. Additionally, 24 health facilities and 212 ambulances were impacted.

UNICEF reports that conditions for children are being described as “nightmare-like.”

The leader of UNICEF, the UN Children’s Fund, stated on Friday that children living in Gaza are trapped in a never-ending nightmare that is getting worse with each passing day.

According to Catherine Russell, the lives of young people are increasingly in danger due to preventable illnesses and a lack of food and clean water. It is crucial that all children and innocent civilians are shielded from violence and have access to essential resources and support.

The number of children under five with diarrhoea increased from 48,000 to 71,000 within a span of one week, beginning on December 17th. This is equivalent to an average of 3,200 new cases of diarrhea per day.

She stated that there has been a notable rise in child health decline in Gaza. Prior to the rise in conflict, around 2,000 instances of diarrhea in children under five were reported per month.

Relief effort stymied

On Thursday, Eri Kaneko, a spokesperson for the aid coordination office OCHA, released a statement that expressed the same concerns raised by humanitarians regarding the obstacles on the ground that are impeding the timely and adequate delivery of relief aid.

Ms. Kaneko stated that the UN and its humanitarian collaborators are dedicated to fulfilling the increasing demands in Gaza and are making every effort to do so. However, the ability to carry out these efforts is impeded by security threats, limitations on movement, and delays or refusals.

“Numerous inspections, extended lines of trucks, and challenges at crossing points persistently impede operations. In Gaza, aid efforts are hindered by frequent bombings, resulting in the deaths of aid workers and incidents where convoys have been targeted.”

The OCHA representative specified that other obstacles include inadequate communication, road damage, and delays at checkpoints.

A successful effort to assist Gaza must have adequate security, a capable staff who can work without danger, logistical capabilities, and the restarting of commercial operations.

142 UNRWA staff killed

In the meantime, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported that 142 employees have lost their lives during the ongoing conflict.

According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, approximately 1.9 million individuals have been forced to leave their homes in Gaza Strip since October 7th of last year, with some being displaced more than once.

According to UNRWA, this figure accounts for more than 85% of the total population in the Gaza Strip. The organization also noted that families have been continuously displaced in their pursuit of safety.

Over 1.4 million individuals who have been displaced within their own country are currently residing in 155 facilities run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in all five regions of the Gaza Strip.

The data last updated shortly after the escalation began shows that 160,000 people in the northern region and Gaza City are included in this figure.

The UN agency stated in an update that an additional 500,000 individuals are located near these facilities and are receiving aid from UNRWA.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has initiated a fundraising campaign for $69 million.

On Friday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) issued a pressing request for $69 million to assist with addressing urgent and essential humanitarian needs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The petition also extends to nearby nations impacted by the continuing conflicts in Gaza.

According to IOM, numerous civilians are in dire need of assistance. However, providing aid to them is still hindered by lengthy clearance processes for humanitarian trucks at the border, as well as the ongoing ground operations and battles.

The United Nations agency reported that frequent interruptions in communication networks have hindered the coordination of humanitarian aid. This has been compounded by insecurity, roadblocks, and a shortage of fuel.

In areas outside of Gaza, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has observed that the security situation is worsening along the borders of Israel and Lebanon. As a result, approximately 76,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes in southern Lebanon.

Source: news.un.org