Winter rains and aid obstacles have made the ordeal worse for Gaza’s one million people
in one updateUnited Nations Office for the Coordination of Aid, OCHAemphasized that attacks on civilian infrastructure have not stopped, “especially in Northern Gaza, where the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) reports appalling conditions at Kamal Adwan Hospital – and the site of 61 of the 95 attacks on school buildings since October 6, 2024.”
Flooding damaged temporary shelters across the Gaza Strip, but humanitarian teams were only able to assist 285,000 people with repairs between September and the end of November, because of transport shortages. Materials entering this area are still very limited.
“At least another 945,000 people are now in need of emergency winter assistance to protect them from rain and cold weather,” OCHA said.Waiting outside Gaza are 58,000 sealing kits and more than 36,000 tarpaulins that have been procured to meet the needs of some 400,000 people.but these will take two months to arrive at the current rate of 10 shelter trucks entering Gaza per week.”
Truck stop
OCHA warned that aid convoys continued to face “extreme insecurity” when entering Gaza. “On December 11, a convoy of 70 trucks passing through the Kerem Shalom intersection was heavily attacked by bandits, resulting in the loss of almost all food and aid. Same day, one WFP The convoy leaving Kissufim intersection was also shot at, and 4 out of 5 trucks were violently looted.
Humanitarians have emphasized that such attacks can be avoided, pointing to an agreement last Tuesday with Israeli authorities allowing a United Nations convoy to use the Philadelphia corridor – separates southern Gaza from Egypt – to reach nearly 200,000 people facing severe food shortages.
OCHA reports that between December 1 and 16, of the 339 planned aid operations across the Gaza Strip that require coordination with Israeli authorities, 30% (102) approved, 42% (141) denied, 18% (62) blocked and 10% (34) canceleddue to logistical and security challenges.
The epidemic skyrocketed
As temperatures drop, the United Nations health agency has reported an increase in infections including respiratory illnesses, diarrhea and jaundice. In 2024, more than 1.2 million respiratory infections will be recorded, along with 570,000 cases of acute diarrhea.
These diseases are expected to become more severe, especially in children.
United Nations humanitarian agencies also warned that many displaced people had built shelters on the rubble of destroyed houses in Khan Younis, Ma’an and Bani Suhaila. These structures are very fragile and are at risk of collapsing in the coming rains.
Besieged in northern Gaza
Meanwhile, humanitarian aid to northern Gaza continues to be blocked by the Israeli army, which has been waging a ground offensive since October 6, with clashes reported with groups Palestinian armed forces.
Despite many efforts, UN aid missions to besieged areas such as Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun and Jabalia still “the majority were denied for more than 10 weeks”, said OCHA.
Humanitarian activists stressed the need for immediate action to protect vulnerable populations during the winter, especially for women and children in need of basic supplies such as clothing. warm clothes, diapers and baby formula.
Fees increase
Over the past week, 273 Palestinians were killed and 853 injuredaccording to the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. And since war broke out on October 7, 2023 following Hamas-led terrorist attacks in Israel, at least 45,059 Palestinians have been killed and 107,041 injured.
Quoting the Israeli army, OCHA noted that between October 7, 2023 and December 17, 2024, more than 1,586 Israelis and foreign nationals were killedlargely on October 7, 2023 and the immediate aftermath. This number includes 386 soldiers died in Gaza or along the Israeli border and 2,488 people have been injured since the start of the ground campaign.
That is An estimated 100 Israelis and foreigners remain hostages in Gaza, including those who were declared dead and whose bodies have not been released.
