UN humanitarian agency breaks silence on ‘one year of unimaginable suffering’ in Gaza

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is urging world leaders to put an end to the devastating crisis in the Middle East, one year after Hamas’s attacks on southern Israel.

The numbers are staggering – over 1,200 Israelis lost their lives in those attacks, while Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza has resulted in more than 41,600 Palestinian fatalities and displaced nearly the entire population of the enclave.

The concerning situation is further complicated by the fact that many Israeli captives remain in Gaza, while thousands of Palestinians are being arbitrarily detained and allegedly subjected to torture. The civilians in Gaza are facing unimaginable hardship, with severely limited or no access to basic necessities like healthcare, food, electricity, or humanitarian aid.

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“No statistics or words can fully convey the extent of the physical, mental and societal devastation that has taken place,” said Joyce Msuya, the acting undersecretary-general and emergency relief coordinator.

“But we know what must happen: The hostages must be released and treated humanely. Civilians must be protected and their essential needs met. Palestinians arbitrarily detained must be released. Humanitarian workers must be safeguarded and their work facilitated. Perpetrators must be held accountable for any serious violations of international humanitarian law. And the assault on Gaza must stop,” she said.