UN warns of critical shortages, humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid ongoing conflict
On the 93rd day of the conflict in Gaza, the United Nations (UN) issued alarming reports highlighting dire shortages and a worsening humanitarian crisis. UN humanitarians detailed significant casualties, particularly among women and children, amidst relentless Israeli bombardment.
The UN World Health Organization (WHO) specifically warned about the only functioning hospital in Deir Al Balah governorate, where medical teams were forced to cease crucial activities due to an evacuation order amid escalating Israeli military activity.
Al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza, with only five remaining doctors, faced a critical situation as WHO delivered medical supplies to support dialysis patients and trauma care recipients. WHO Health Emergency Officer Sean Casey documented chaotic scenes in a video, depicting medics treating patients on the blood-streaked floor.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed immense needs at the hospital, emphasizing the critical requirement for protection from strikes and hostilities. Over 600 patients and most health workers reportedly evacuated the facility, leaving it inoperable. Tedros called it inconceivable that healthcare protection couldn’t be ensured.
The UN health agency disclosed that no hospitals are fully functioning in northern Gaza, with additional WHO missions canceled due to dangers and lack of necessary permissions. Casualty numbers have surged, exceeding 120 trauma cases and dozens of fatalities per day. Plans to deploy an emergency medical team to Al-Aqsa are contingent on a secure environment.
Separately, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported intense Israeli strikes across central Deir Al Balah governorate and southern cities, causing a significant number of fatalities in Jabaliya Camp. Palestinian armed groups continued rocket fire into Israel amid ground operations and fighting, resulting in additional casualties.
The latest data from the Gazan Health Ministry indicated over 22,835 fatalities since the start of Israeli military strikes. UNICEF expressed concerns about increasing cases of diarrhea among under-fives and severe food poverty affecting nine in 10 children under two years old. UNICEF Executive-Director Catherine Russell emphasized the urgent need to address severe acute malnutrition and prevent a potential famine.
Updated information from OCHA on aid trucks entering Gaza revealed a total of 218 trucks carrying essential supplies through Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings on January 6 and 7, significantly lower than the pre-conflict daily average of over 500 trucks. The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, raising serious concerns about the well-being of the population amidst ongoing violence and humanitarian challenges.
