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:
“In
less than one month of military escalation,
UNRWA lost eleven colleagues in Gaza. Flags on all UNRWA
buildings will be flown at half-mast to honor our lost colleagues.”
“Despite
the temporary cessation of hostilities, there will be no ‘back to
normal’ for Gaza unless there is a political solution. The Israeli
blockade on Gaza needs to be lifted. Entire
neighborhoods turned into ghost towns, covered in rubble and the
smell of decomposing bodies. With up to
thirty percent of Gaza’s population displaced, an
estimated 65,000 people have no home to return to.”
“There
are at least 187,000 displaced Palestinians in 90 UNRWA shelters.
The numbers remain fluid, with displaced reportedly returning to the
UNRWA shelters after having visited their homes to get personal
items. Some return to the UNRWA shelters as they have nothing to
eat, or come back if they find their homes destroyed or
uninhabitable, or feel unsafe.”
“In
less than one month of military conflict, UNRWA lost eleven
colleagues in Gaza. Starting on Wednesday 6 August and
until Saturday 9 August, flags on all UNRWA buildings will be flown
at half-mast to honor these colleagues. The
UNRWA staff members are: Fatma A. Rahim Abu Amouna, 54, a teacher;
Inas Shaban Derbas, 30, a teacher; Mohammed A. Raouf Al-Dadda, 39, a
teacher; Ismail A. Qader El-Kujk, 53, an environmental-health worker;
Farid Mohamed Mohamed Ahmed, 50, a teacher; Ahmed Mohamed Mohamed
Ahmed, 51, a school principal; Munir Ibrahim El Hajjar, a social
worker; Medhat Ahmed Al Amoudi, 53, a labourer, and Abdallah Naser
Khalil Fahajan, 21, a school attendant. Two UNRWA contractors
employed under the Agency’s Job Creation Programme have been killed
while on duty in UNRWA’s shelters: Adel Mohammad Abu Qamar, a
guard, and Hazim Abdelbasit Abu Hellal, a guard.”
“Like
all Palestinians in Gaza, UNRWA staff have lost family members and
friends, have their homes destroyed or shelter the displaced. One
of UNRWA’s staff members in Rafah lost his two children, twelve and
five years old, shortly after a previous temporary ceasefire expired.
The family was displaced, but the children insisted on returning home
to feed their doves and were killed in an airstrike. Despite all the
personal losses, with the temporary ceasefire holding, UNRWA staff
continue to work round the clock to resume full core operations and
continue ongoing emergency operations.”
“The
United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) assessed four schools
yesterday in Gaza City for unexploded ordnance (UXO). The schools
were damaged during the shelling of the neighboring police station.
Priority will be given to UXO clearance of UNRWA installations in the
former three kilometer buffer zone, including schools, health
clinics, distribution centers and relief, microfinance, maintenance
and sanitation offices, so that these facilities can be opened
again.”
“The
number of Palestinians killed stands at 1,843, with 29 new fatalities
reported by the Protection Cluster. Among the new reported
fatalities, there are four boys, four girls and three women. 85 per
cent of Palestinian fatalities are believed to be civilians
(excluding those whose bodies could not be identified or their status
is undetermined). The Ministry of Health reports that 9,567 were
injured. During the conflict, 67
Israelis were killed, including 64 soldiers, two civilians and one
foreign national.”
“UNRWA’s
food distribution to a total caseload of over 830,000 beneficiaries
continued. Food rations were provided to 2,418 families through 10
out of 12 distribution centers.”
“Reportedly,
before the start of the temporary ceasefire at 0800hrs, there were 20
rockets fired towards Israel. There were also reports that 15
air-to-ground missiles were fired into Gaza in addition to 5 navy
shells. 8 tank shells were fired from the border area into
populated areas. Reportedly, no houses were bombarded.”
“Two
additional UNRWA installations were reported damaged during the
conflict. UNRWA estimates that 98 installations have been damaged
since 8 July 2014. Data on damage to UNRWA installations is based
on preliminary information and subject to change based on further
verification.”
Full
Report:
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