UNITED NATIONS, May 15 : The United Nations has warned that Israel\u2019s attacks in Gaza have intensified as its forces targeted the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis, further undermining the besieged enclave\u2019s already devastated health care system.
\nCiting the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Aziz Haq said at the regular noon briefing on Wednesday that \u201chostilities in Gaza intensified overnight, with an attack by Israeli forces on the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis.\u201d
\n\u201cThese attacks not only further degrade Gaza\u2019s already decimated health care system but also further traumatize patients and medical staff at these facilities,\u201d he said.
\nA team from the World Health Organization (WHO) was also inside the hospital at the time, it was pointed out.
\nThe hospital premises were hit again in the afternoon, reportedly leading to additional casualties.
\n\u201cThese attacks not only further degrade Gaza\u2019s already decimated healthcare system, but also further traumatize patients and medical staff at these facilities,\u201d OCHA said.
\nThe UN Office has documented at least 686 attacks impacting healthcare in the Gaza Strip since war erupted in October 2023, following the deadly Hamas-led attacks on Israel.
\nOCHA said escalating military activities and increasing explosive ordnance contamination are heightening safety risks for civilians, including aid workers, before stressing once again that civilians and healthcare facilities must always be protected.
\nFirst responders in northern Gaza reported that at least 80 people had been killed in the past day following Israeli strikes, including around 50 who died when homes were struck in northern Jabalia.
\nMeanwhile, Israel has issued two new displacement orders in North Gaza since Tuesday night, following Palestinian rocket fire.
\nEight neighbourhoods have been affected and humanitarians have already observed some fleeing in search of relative safety.
\nMore than 436,000 people are estimated to have been displaced to various areas of Gaza since 18 March.
\n\u201cWhether they leave or stay, civilians must be able to access the essentials for their survival,\u201d OCHA said.
\nThe agency also continues to call for the immediate lifting of the blockade of Gaza. No cargo, including aid, has entered for more than 70 days.
\nThe humanitarian situation is deteriorating, which has led to dwindling stocks in local markets and rising prices of the few supplies that remain available.
\nFor example, during the first week of May, a single 25-kilogramme bag of wheat flour was being sold in Gaza City for the equivalent of more than $415 \u2013 a more than 3,000 per cent increase when compared with the last week of February.
\n\u201cThe blockade is also hampering the provision of hot meals in Gaza, with only about 250,000 individual meals now being provided each day through some 65 community kitchens,\u201d OCHA said.
\n\u201cThis is compared to 25 April \u2013 less than three weeks ago \u2013 when 180 community ty kitchens were producing nearly 1.1 million meals on a daily basis.\u201d<\/p>\n
Humanitarian partners have more than 171,000 metric tonnes of food in the region, ready for whenever the blockade is lifted. This is enough to sustain Gaza\u2019s entire population, roughly 2.1 million people, for up to four months.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UNITED NATIONS, May 15 : The United Nations has warned that Israel\u2019s attacks in Gaza have intensified as its forces targeted the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis, further undermining the besieged enclave\u2019s already devastated health care system. Citing the Office for the Coordination of […]<\/p>\n
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