24
hour reports by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)
Due to
the dramatic escalation in violence over the past few days and the
massive assault on Gaza, UNRWA has declared an emergency in all five
areas of the Gaza Strip. It is closely monitoring the situation and
stands ready to mount an emergency response should that become
necessary. The priority for the Agency has now shifted to emergency
operations, providing assistance to those who have been displaced and
sought shelter in UNRWA schools, while attempting to continue regular
operations. Urgent funding needs persist and are increasing
Key
parts:
“...
UNRWA is hoping to be able to undertake a preliminary assessment in
the 3km ‘buffer zone’ instituted by the Israeli Defense Force
(IDF), which encompasses roughly 43 percent of the entire Gaza Strip.
This area is under effective control of the IDF and not accessible to
UNRWA staff.”
“The
number of IDPs in UNRWA schools continues to rise and has reached
almost 240,000. It is estimated that a total of 460,000 people –
that is one quarter of the Gaza population – are displaced. The
precise number is unknown as those not sheltered in UNRWA schools and
government institutions are staying with families and friends.
According to very preliminary assessments, almost 60,000 people have
no home to go back to, and the number of homes with severe damage
incurred is unknown. With entire neighborhoods flattened, the
damage is far more severe than from the 2008/09 conflict.”
“Even
if a permanent ceasefire was reached, it will be unfeasible to
reconstruct the Gaza Strip under the current access regime imposed by
the Government of Israel. There is no construction material
available on the local market, making it impossible to repair or
build new homes for the displaced population.”
“According
to UN information, 1,373 Palestinians were killed to date. This
figure has risen by 99 compared to that reported in the previous
report. According to information from the UN Protection
Cluster, 863 are civilians (almost 63 per cent) and 181 are believed
to be militants. The status of a the remaining 329 people killed is
still undetermined. According to the Ministry of Health, the
number of wounded has reached 8,400.”
“Whilst
UNRWA is struggling every single day to provide water to the
shelters, regular households reportedly have no access to water as
there is no electricity to pump the water and some areas are
completely cut off from the network. The repair of the Gaza Power
Plant – struck on 29 July – will supposedly take up to a year.
Only 10 per cent of the estimated electricity demands are
currently met through Israeli and Egyptian feeder lines, as some
lines are damaged and not operational. Gaza City receives 2 hours
of electricity per day and the Middle Area doesn’t have any
electricity at all.”
“Reportedly,
there were 75 rockets and 146 mortar shells fired towards Israel.
There were also reports that 114 air-to-ground missiles were fired
into Gaza in addition to 40 navy shells. 1,235 tank shells
were fired from the border area in to populated areas.
Reportedly, 35 houses were bombarded.”
“Five
additional UNRWA installations were reported damaged during this
period, four schools and one distribution center. An estimated 111
UNRWA installations have been damaged since 1 June, 2014, many of
them on multiple occasions. UNRWA is still to verify this number
when the security situation allows.”
Full
Report:
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