Quantity Palestinians displaced in the Gaza Strip due to Israeli bombing following the offensive launched on Saturday by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) from the enclave, has grown to at least 200 thousandAccording to the United Nations (UN).

UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territories Lynne Hastings said in a statement that “At least 200,000 of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents have been forced to flee their homes. after fleeing, fearing for their lives or that their homes would be destroyed by bombing.”

At the same time, he clarified that “most of them sought shelter in schools UN Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Middle East (UNRWA)” and added that “at least two of them were damaged by explosions in the area“.

“It is expected that the number of casualties as a result of hostilities will only increase increase“Saddened Hastings.

In this sense, he stated that “the scale of the current fighting has had serious consequences” and added that “homes, schools, health facilities and other infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed” before emphasizing that Israel “carried out intensive bombing of densely populated areas” of the Gaza Strip following a Hamas attack in which “hundreds of Israeli civilians and military personnel were killed or captured and thousands of rockets were fired indiscriminately into Israel.”

“Israeli authorities cut off water supplies to the Gaza Strip, reducing the already scarce drinking water supply.“Hastings said, recalling that the “total encirclement” order issued by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant included “cutting off” access to “electricity, food and fuel”which “inevitably worsens an already difficult humanitarian situation.”

Thus, he stated that “Palestinians in Gaza now have electricity for three to four hours a day, making it difficult for medical facilities to function and treat the wounded.“.

“The UN and its humanitarian partners in the occupied Palestinian territories working to meet the most pressing needs, especially in hiding, in dangerous circumstances,” he explained.

“However, Access for humanitarian personnel and supplies to Gaza was also cut off. and the intensity of hostilities limits the ability of personnel to deliver aid,” Hastings argued, emphasizing that “All parties must fulfill their obligations under humanitarian law.“. “All military and armed groups must adhere to the principles of selectivity, proportionality and caution in the conduct of their operations,” he said.

“Civilians, especially children, health facilities, humanitarian and medical workers and journalists must be protected. Captured civilians must be released immediately and unconditionally. Anyone captured or detained, including combatants, must be treated with humanity and dignity. “All relevant parties must ensure that humanitarian groups and supplies can reach hundreds of thousands of people in need safely,” he added.

For its part, UNRWA clarified that Since the start of hostilities, four schools and eight medical facilities have been damaged. However, he noted that “intensive bombing” is forcing more displaced people to seek refuge in their institutions.

“Every effort is being made to provide basic services to displaced people, although conditions are difficult, with some shelters overcrowded and limited availability of drinking water“UNRWA said and emphasized that “not all of the 83 schools are shelters and are not ready to accept displaced persons.”

The organization also indicated that its office in Gaza, “where national and international staff are present,” suffered “collateral damage” during the Israeli bombing of Gaza City. “In total, 18 UNRWA facilities have been damaged since October 7,” he emphasized.

Israel has so far confirmed more than 900 dead and 2,700 wounded since the start of the Hamas offensive launched on Saturday and supported by Islamic Jihad, while 765 Palestinians were killed and about 4 thousand were injured as a result of Israeli bombing and attacks on the Gaza Strip, as well as more than 15 operations and clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank.

(Europe Press)