According to UN estimates, around one million people were displaced in the Gaza Strip in the first week of the war between Israel and Hamas. The actual number of internally displaced people is likely to be even higher as many people in the coastal area continued to leave their homes, UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) spokeswoman Juliette Touma said today. .
Humanitarian organizations complain about the “horrible” situation
At the same time, humanitarian organizations warned of catastrophic conditions in the Gaza Strip. Medico and Misereor today called for compliance with international law and the immediate creation of humanitarian corridors to provide care for the 2.2 million people in the coastal enclave.
“Attacks that violate international law” against the civilian population, civilian infrastructure and medical facilities must stop, it said in a joint statement. Both groups work with health services and human rights organizations in the Gaza Strip.
“Horrible situation”
“From what we hear from our partner organizations, we know the situation is dire,” said Tsafrir Cohen, executive director of the aid and human rights organization Medico International. “Before the eyes of the world, we find ourselves in the middle of a humanitarian catastrophe that is worsening at breakneck speed.” The health system, electricity and water supply “completely collapsed”.
Supplies were nearly exhausted, he said. “The supply of water, fuel and electricity must be restored,” said executive director Pirmin Spiegel of Misereor, the Roman Catholic Church’s humanitarian aid organization. “The people of Gaza cannot be held collectively responsible for Hamas’ brutal attacks.”