The areas near Shifa and Al Quds hospitals in Gaza City, as well as the Indonesian hospital in northern Gaza, were attacked over the weekend according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

OCHA also stated that the Israeli military has once again urged for the immediate evacuation of these facilities.

Head of relief efforts: Ensure the safety of civilians no matter their location.

The UN relief chief, Martin Griffiths, expressed on social media platform X that both Palestinian and Israeli civilians have endured significant hardships. He also mentioned that he is currently in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and plans to meet with leaders from both sides to discuss ways to increase the humanitarian aid efforts.

The author’s request to all involved parties is to release the hostages and ensure the safety of civilians, regardless of their location. They also urge for aid to be delivered quickly, securely, and on a large scale. The author emphasizes the importance of adhering to international humanitarian law.

Evacuation remains ‘impossible’

OCHA reports that approximately 117,000 individuals who have been displaced are currently seeking shelter in 10 functioning hospitals located in Gaza City and other areas in the northern part of Gaza. These facilities have been issued multiple orders to evacuate in the past few days.

The World Health Organization (WHO) restated on the social media platform X that it is not possible to evacuate hospitals without putting patients’ lives at risk.

Humanitarians keep working

The United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA, reported that due to shortages of medical supplies and power, doctors are performing emergency C-sections without anaesthesia. This has resulted in some cases where doctors have had to deliver premature babies from mothers who are dying, as shared by staff at Shifa Hospital.

On Monday, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported that their aid staff in Gaza continue to provide support to more than 600,000 individuals seeking refuge in UNRWA shelters. This number is over three times the intended capacity.

UNRWA stated that they are the representation of humanity during a time of great hardship.

The organization hosted a ceremony on Sunday to honor 59 of its workers who have died in the ongoing conflict. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his appreciation, unity, and unwavering backing for colleagues who are risking their own lives to help save others in Gaza.

The number of deaths continues to increase.

According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, as of Sunday evening, the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 8,000 since October 7th.

According to OCHA, there were no deaths reported in the past 24 hours as Palestinian armed groups continued to launch rockets indiscriminately towards cities and towns in Israel.

The Israeli government has stated that there are currently 239 Israeli citizens and foreign individuals, including approximately 30 children, being held as prisoners in Gaza. Additionally, 40 individuals are still unaccounted for after Hamas launched attacks on Israel on October 7th, resulting in the deaths of 1,400 individuals.

The United Nations has consistently urged for the prompt and unrestricted release of the hostages. On Sunday, Mr. Guterres reiterated that there is never any justification for the harm and kidnapping of innocent civilians.

Additional UNRWA employees have died.

In its most recent update on Monday afternoon (in New York time), UNRWA reported that 10 additional staff members have lost their lives in Gaza, bringing the total death count to 63.

Additional assistance is required.

According to OCHA, a total of 33 trucks filled with water, food, and medical supplies were able to enter Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt on Sunday. This was the biggest delivery of its kind since the resumption of limited convoys on October 21st.

OCHA emphasized the need for a greater amount of aid to be consistently provided in order to prevent the worsening of the dire humanitarian crisis and potential civil unrest. Prior to the Hamas attacks on October 7th, approximately 500 trucks entered Gaza daily.

The Al-Quds hospital in Gaza is still operating.

During the weekend, despite warnings from a UN relief team that people in Gaza are already experiencing hunger, thousands of individuals looted multiple UNRWA warehouses and distribution centers, stealing wheat flour, hygiene products, and other resources.

Simultaneously, a 24-hour communication shutdown isolated Gazans from both the global community and from one another. Tom White, the Operations Director of UNRWA, expressed concern that this event indicates a breakdown of civil order following three weeks of conflict and a strict blockade on Gaza.

OCHA emphasized the urgent need for fuel to be allowed on aid trucks in order to operate essential medical equipment, as well as water and sanitation facilities.

Source: news.un.org