Multiple Strikes In Gaza Lead To Casualties And Forced Displacements, UN Reports

The United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Gaza reported that numerous strikes have resulted in many casualties. Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, stated, "One of these attacks occurred just a few hundred metres away from the UN’s Joint Humanitarian Operations Centre, which is located in Deir al Balah, and is used by UN agencies and NGOs to coordinate work throughout the Gaza strip."

Families continue to relocate from Gaza city to Deir al Balah. Over 1,000 people were seen crossing in the past week alone. They travel using donkey carts, cars, motorcycles, or on foot, carrying minimal belongings. Many have been displaced multiple times and cannot afford another move financially.

Dujarric highlighted that these individuals are among the most vulnerable. He said, "These people are among the most vulnerable, and our teams have been deployed daily along their routes to provide basic assistance, which includes water, hot meals, any sort of food, and health services."

The ongoing lack of electricity and fuel severely impacts essential services like hospitals, ambulances, bakeries, and aid trucks. Dujarric noted that over the past two weeks, they managed to collect about 80,000 litres of fuel per day on average. This is an increase from 45,000 litres per day during the last two weeks of June.

Despite this improvement in fuel collection, the basic humanitarian operations require 400,000 litres per day. Israeli authorities still do not permit fuel allocation to key local humanitarian responders. This restriction prevents them from distributing supplies within Gaza.

The situation remains dire as humanitarian efforts struggle against these constraints. The need for more substantial support is evident to meet even the most basic needs of those affected.

The UN continues its efforts to provide necessary aid despite these challenges. The focus remains on delivering essential services and support to those most in need within Gaza.

With inputs from WAM