OCHA reports critical aid blocked in Gaza, fuel shortages threaten lifesaving services

By Anjali Sharma

UNITED NATIONS – UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on Friday reported that Israeli authorities continue to deny UN-led efforts to reach North Gaza with lifesaving aid, including the most recent attempt on Friday.

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric in a regular briefing in New York said that on Thursday, only 10 out of 21 planned humanitarian movements were facilitated by the Israeli authorities. Seven were denied outright, three were impeded and one was cancelled due to security and logistical challenges.

OCHA is also deeply concerned about the impact that dwindling fuel supplies are having on essential services in Gaza. Palestinian telecommunication providers are now warning that their services may start to shut down on Saturday due to fuel shortages.

World Health Organization reported that Al Awda Hospital – the last partially functioning hospital in North Gaza governorate – is critically low on fuel and essential medical supplies.

It noted that Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun and Jabalya refugee camps have been besieged for over 3 months now and Al Awda has been overwhelmed with patients.

OCHA reported that conditions have only deteriorated after the forced closure of the Kamal Adwan and Indonesian hospitals in the north, due to repeated attacks, raids and forced evacuations.

WHO has been working to access Al Awda to replenish crucial supplies and assess the damage at Kamal Adwan Hospital is no longer operational.

The damaged roads and insufficient access by the Israeli authorities have made it impossible to safely reach the stricken hospitals.

Mr. Dujarric called for immediate action to be taken to make roads passable and facilitate access to the crippled health facilities.

OCHA indicated that during the first week of this year, Israeli forces killed three Palestinians, including a child, and injured 38 others across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Israeli settlers also injured 18 Palestinians across the West Bank, including nine in Silwad village in Ramallah governorate.

The armed Palestinians shot and killed three Israeli settlers and injured eight others near Qalqiliya, OCHA stated.

Already this year, more than 50 Palestinians in the West Bank have been displaced due to home demolitions, the majority in Silwan in East Jerusalem.

Over refugee camp, security forces with the Palestinian Authority have been clashing with militant factions for more than a month.

OCHA reports that since the operation began, access to the camp has been heavily restricted.

UNRWA estimates that some 3,400 people remain in the Jenin camp, after dire conditions and more than 2,000 families have been displaced to Jenin city.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric in New York said that OCHA has mobilized partners to respond to the needs of the affected families both inside and outside the camp.

In Lebanon, $30 million was allocated on Friday from the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund to address the devastating impact of the recent conflict.

UN Humanitarian Coordinator Imran Riza, highlighted the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the crippling of basic services, including healthcare, water and sanitation, amid heavy fighting between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.

He stressed that a ceasefire is being observed, the humanitarian toll remains severe.

The funding will focus on food security, shelter, nutrition, protection, healthcare, water, sanitation and education while localized, community-driven responses will ensure the most vulnerable populations are prioritized.