Since the Israeli Air Force bombed the Gaza Strip following the Hamas terror attack, many Palestinians have sought refuge in UNRWA buildings. But the options for help are limited.
In the Gaza Strip, more than 137,000 people have now sought protection in United Nations emergency shelters. As the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Middle East (UNRWA) announced on Monday evening, the emergency shelters are already 90 percent full. UNRWA fears that the humanitarian situation for the people of the Gaza Strip will continue to deteriorate.
The Islamist Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist organization by the EU, the USA and Israel, surprisingly began rocket attacks against Israel from Gaza at the weekend. At the same time, armed Palestinians advanced into Israel by land, sea and air, killing civilians and abducting others. Israel’s army responded, among other things, with rocket fire on Gaza.
According to UNRWA, more than a dozen United Nations facilities in Gaza were hit by Israeli bullets. There was damage to property. A school that is currently serving as emergency accommodation was also hit. The UN agency has closed schools for classes and stopped distributing food. In the Gaza Strip, almost 1.5 million people are registered as refugees with the UN aid agency.
Thousands of UN employees cannot leave the Gaza Strip
According to the United Nations, there are 13,000 UN employees in the Gaza Strip. “They are clearly unable to leave,” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. “They are focused on doing everything they can within their mandate to help the population.” They are employees of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) – most of them are Palestinians, around 300 are international employees.
Israel has ordered the complete closure of the Gaza Strip, which is only 40 kilometers long and six to twelve kilometers wide. The United Nations says it has stockpiled supplies inside the Gaza Strip. “At some point, in the not too distant future, we will run out of supplies,” Dujarric said.
In view of the announcement by the EU, among others, that it would freeze financial support for Palestinians, Dujarric said when asked by the German Press Agency: “We very much hope that the financing of UN activities in the occupied Palestinian territories and the Gaza Strip will be protected.” It initially remained unclear from the UN whether funds for UNRWA, among others, were at risk.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
