OCHA warns that air strikes and shelling are continuing across the Gaza Strip, with scores of people reportedly killed or injured. Palestinian rocket fire towards Israel was also reported today.
In Gaza, the Ministry of Health says that since October 2023, fatalities have topped 66,000 people.
OCHA stresses once again that civilians must never be a target. Under international humanitarian law, they must be protected.
Meanwhile, women and children continue to bear the brunt of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza. Yesterday, UNICEF said in a social media post that a nine-year-old girl died from severe malnutrition.
Overall, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, 177 people – including 36 children – have died from starvation and malnutrition since famine was confirmed in August.
Although partners working on nutrition were able to reach some 600 malnourished pregnant and breastfeeding women last month, this is far from enough. The UN Population Fund says that over 60 per cent of pregnant women and new mothers are suffering from malnutrition.
OCHA continues calling for unimpeded and sustained access into and throughout Gaza to deliver critical supplies and services in sufficient quantities – including nutritious foods through the commercial sector, such as meat, vegetables and dairy products – to help meet people’s needs.
Meanwhile, people continue to be displaced. UNICEF warned that children have been walking in fear and terror for several days amid bombardment, gunfire and dead bodies – without food and water.
In southern Gaza, families are squeezed into severely overcrowded makeshift tents along the coast. As winter approaches, tents are at risk of being flooded. In August, some families were affected by the rising tides along the coast of Gaza.
Partners report that this week, tents, tarpaulins and bedsheets entered Gaza via the crossings. However, hundreds of thousands of people remain in desperate need of shelter. With more safe and approved routes for the collection of shelter materials to mitigate looting, the reopening of Allenby to cargo movements, and an increase in the volume that is approved and customs cleared for entry, the humanitarian community would be better able to meet growing needs.
In addition, and despite major challenges, humanitarians continue to provide services across Gaza as best as they can. Teams were able to collect vaccines and nutrition supplies from Kerem Shalom and install a solar panel in Deir al Balah.
