If the situation in Gaza within a month of war was deplorable, it is now dire.
Starvation, thirst, displacement and death has become the order of the day.
People are starving in Gaza, infrastructure has been destroyed and disease threatens.
A “triangle of death” as Gaza’s Health Ministry puts it, constituting of hunger, dehydration and disease has restricted displaced Palestinians.
Delayed delivery of fuel for water and sanitation facilities has increased the risk of disease spreading due to lack of clean water and possible sewage overflows.
UN’s latest humanitarian update revealed that planned UN missions to north and central Gaza were “denied by the Israeli authorities” on January 8, 2024.
The missions that were denied permission by Israel include UNOCHA and WHO missions to deliver “urgent medical supplies” to the Central Drug Store in Gaza City and the al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia as well as deliveries of “vital fuel” to power water and sanitation facilities in Gaza City and northern Gaza.
The UN said that the mission to al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia and the Central Drug Store in Gaza City have now been blocked five times since December 26.
According to UN Special Rapporteur, Francesca Albanese, the severe hunger being experienced in Gaza “aggravates charges of genocide” against Israel.
She stated in a post on X, “45% people experience severe hunger. In some areas 9 out of 10 families go 24h without food. This aggravates charges of genocide, as physical destruction can be achieved through starvation.”
Recent and increasing skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah has added a layer of complication to the war.
Since October 8, continuing clashes at the border between the Israeli army and Hezbollah have resulted in the deaths of dozens of Lebanese civilians and more than 140 Hezbollah members.
Israel and armed groups in southern Lebanon – some 200km (124 miles) from the Gaza Strip, particularly Hezbollah, have engaged in frequent back-and-forth exchanges across the United Nations-patrolled Israel-Lebanon border.
Lebanon’s Speaker of Parliament has accused Israel of violating the rules of engagement and UN Resolution 1701 – intended to resolve the 2006 Lebanon War – while carrying out the attacks since October 7.
“The daily Israeli escalation is targeting the depth of residential areas, civilians and even ambulances and journalists,” Nabih Berri said.
Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati added that while Lebanon sought “permanent stability and a permanent peaceful solution,” it was “receiving warnings through international envoys about a war on Lebanon.”
“War Could End Tomorrow”
U.S Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said that the war could “have ended on October 8” if Hamas had given up its weapons and released the hostages.
“This [war] could end tomorrow if Hamas makes those decisions,” he added.
Israel said that of about 240 people seized by Palestinian armed groups on October 7, 132 are still being held in Gaza and 25 have died in captivity.
The conflict broke out on October 7, when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel that killed 1,139 people, according to Israeli authorities.
Palestinian officials disclosed that Israel responded with a devastating bombardment and a ground invasion of Gaza that has destroyed much of the territory and killed more than 23,200 people, mostly women and children.
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