New York: The United Nations condemns the deadly escalation of the Israeli military offensive which took place over the weekend across Gaza City, with scores of people reportedly killed or injured. The situation is having an appalling impact on civilians enduring suffering and starvation, a UN spokesperson told journalists in New York. The UN reiterated its call for the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel, and for full respect for international law.
According to United Nations, partners reported that one third of malnutrition treatment facilities in Gaza City have shut down due to forced displacement orders. The Ministry of Health reported 425 deaths overall due to malnutrition and starvation in Gaza, about a third of which were children.
Over the past few days, UN partners have managed to distribute 40,000 additional meals each day. As of Saturday, a total of 558,000 daily meals were prepared and distributed by 20 UN partners to 116 kitchens. Health services continue to be heavily constrained, as clinics have suspended their services due to insecurity and displacement orders. In Deir Al-Balah, only a few ambulances remain operational to serve the thousands of people in need.
Additionally, 77 percent of the road networks in Gaza have been damaged. According to UN aid coordination office OCHA, humanitarian aid continues to be obstructed. On Sunday, only four of the 17 missions that the UN coordinated with the Israeli authorities were facilitated. Seven missions were denied, with one intended to deliver water tanks to the north, while another four were impeded in the field, and two were cancelled by the organizers.
Nevertheless, three humanitarian missions were accomplished, including the collection of fuel and food cargo from the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing. Humanitarian colleagues continue to call for unimpeded humanitarian access, stressing that aid should flow at scale through multiple crossings into and within Gaza, including the north.
