Gaza: Worrying alerts from United Nations staff in the Gaza Strip who have been fainting from hunger and exhaustion over the past 48 hours have increased fears for peoples survival in the devastated enclave, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.
According to EMM, doctors, nurses, journalists, humanitarians, including UNRWA staff, are experiencing hunger and fainting due to exhaustion while performing their duties. Juliette Touma, Director of Communications with the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, emphasized that seeking food has become as deadly as the bombardments. Speaking from Amman, she highlighted the dire situation where the distribution scheme by the so-called GHF is described as a death-trap with reports of snipers randomly opening fire on crowds.
Ms. Touma, quoting UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini, referred to the scheme as a massive hunt of people with total impunity, stressing that humanitarian assistance should not be conducted by mercenaries. She insisted on the UN and its humanitarian partners having the necessary expertise and resources to provide safe and dignified assistance. Living conditions in Gaza have deteriorated significantly, with basic commodity prices increasing by around 4,000 percent, leaving inhabitants without income and essential resources.
Ms. Touma shared accounts from colleagues on the ground who have had to endure long walks to purchase basic food items at exorbitant prices, reflecting the severe scarcity and inflation. On Monday, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported that a significant portion of Gaza's population is facing famine-like conditions, with thousands suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
Amid the scarcity, everyday items like diapers have become costly and rare, leading to desperate measures among the populace. Ms. Touma emphasized the availability of essential supplies, including food and hygiene products, that UNRWA has ready outside Gaza, urging for a ceasefire to facilitate their delivery.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also reported attacks on its facilities and staff in Gaza, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. WHO spokesperson Tarik Jašarevic condemned the attacks and the mistreatment of staff and families, noting that Israeli military actions have forced evacuations and caused significant damage, including to WHO's main warehouse in the area.
Mr. Jašarevic called for the release of a WHO staff member who remains detained by Israeli forces. The ongoing conflict has severely impacted Gaza's healthcare infrastructure, with a significant number of health workers killed and facilities damaged, making the delivery of medical services nearly impossible.
The humanitarian operation in Gaza faces additional challenges with increased visa denials for emergency medical teams by Israeli authorities. Ms. Touma also highlighted the restricted access for international media to the enclave, calling for more transparency and first-hand reporting on the situation.
Local authorities reported to the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, that more than a dozen individuals have died from hunger in the past 24 hours, with hospitals admitting individuals suffering severe exhaustion due to food shortages. The pattern of violence against civilians attempting to access food is deemed unacceptable, underscoring the urgent need for safe and consistent humanitarian aid access.
