The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that of that number, 137,427 sought refuge in schools and other facilities run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
“The number of internally displaced people represents the highest number since the 50-day escalation of hostilities in 2014, which was the deadliest escalation in Gaza since 1967,” he stressed.
Four schools and eight health centers have been damaged in this coastal enclave since hostilities began last Saturday, he warned.
OCHA stated that “the destruction of infrastructure and roads (due to the bombings) made it difficult for medical and civil defense teams to reach the victims.”
The organization, citing data from regional authorities, stressed that so far at least 790 houses have been destroyed and 5,330 have been seriously damaged.
The Israeli airstrikes also damaged three water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, undermining services for more than 400,000 people in Gaza City and the northern part of the Strip, it said.
OCHA warned of the consequences of Israel’s decision to cut off water, electricity and fuel supplies to the coastal enclave, home to more than two million people.
Palestinian Health Minister Mai Al-Kaila yesterday accused the neighboring country of deliberately bombing hospitals and medical equipment in the area.
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