The situation in Gaza remains dire as a severe fuel shortage in the enclave has led to a suspension of lifesaving operations in the main hospital in the southern region. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to address the escalating crisis.
Guterres emphasized the need for a truce during a recent address to the UN Security Council, stating that it would alleviate suffering, enable safer aid delivery, and facilitate the release of hostages. He also noted that while the attacks by Hamas on October 7th were unacceptable, they did not happen in isolation and should not result in collective punishment for Palestinians.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported the deaths of three more staff members in the past 24 hours due to ongoing Israeli bombardment in Gaza, bringing the total to 38 since the military siege began. Additionally, a school in Rafah, housing around 4,600 internally displaced persons, sustained significant damage in a close-proximity strike.
According to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, nearly 5,800 people have lost their lives in Gaza since October 7th, including 2,360 children, with more than 16,000 injuries. In the West Bank, 95 fatalities and 1,900 injuries were reported by UNRWA.
The crisis has also had a profound impact on mental health, especially in Israel, where over 220 Israelis and foreign nationals remain held captive in Gaza. Dr. Michel Thieren, the Special Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Israel, highlighted the “collective psychological burden” faced by survivors and healthcare workers who have treated the wounded. Dr. Thieren visited a hospital in Ashkelon, where many survivors are receiving treatment, and described the trauma experienced by survivors who witnessed others perish.
In addition to the psychological toll, Dr. Thieren discussed the challenges faced by doctors and forensic experts in identifying victims as he visited military bases containing the bodies of those lost in the conflict. He also highlighted the impact on communities in southern Israel, which have been evacuated, leaving a lasting “stench of death.”
In Gaza, UNRWA, the largest humanitarian provider in the region, warned that without fuel, it would be forced to cease all operations. Gaza has been in a complete electricity blackout since October 11th, leading to compromised essential services, including ambulances, bakeries, and water facilities. WHO stressed the urgency of ensuring fuel access to maintain electricity and clean water in hospitals.
Despite these challenges, humanitarian aid convoys, such as the recent one from the Egyptian Red Crescent, have made efforts to reach Gaza. However, the conflict’s toll continues to rise, with the UN’s humanitarian affairs coordination office reporting the highest single-day fatality count in this round of hostilities on Tuesday. Some 704 Palestinians, including 305 children, were killed, bringing the total death toll in Gaza to 5,791, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health.
Amid the crisis, UN Women has also drawn attention to the plight of women and girls in Gaza. UN Women Deputy Executive Director Sarah Hendriks stressed the urgent need for access to safe shelter, protection, and maternal healthcare. She highlighted that approximately 50,000 women in Gaza are currently pregnant, with over 5,500 expected to give birth in the coming month. Access to healthcare is rapidly diminishing, with one-third of hospitals and nearly two-thirds of primary health care clinics in Gaza closing.
Ms. Hendriks expressed concern about the increase in female-headed households due to the violence, as well as the elevated risk of gender-based violence in overcrowded shelters. She emphasized the need to prioritize the needs of women and girls in Gaza as the international community seeks solutions to the broader conflict.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains a grave concern, with international organizations pleading for an immediate ceasefire and the delivery of essential aid to alleviate the suffering of the population.
This article was based on the original source and rewritten according to professional news reporting standards.
