Gaza – Winter storms exacerbate the humanitarian tragedy and displace thousands of families

The agency reported – in Its latest report on the situation in the sector – The actual impact is likely to be much higher, especially in high-risk and unmanaged locations, where hundreds of thousands of people live in low-lying, coastal or debris-filled areas vulnerable to flooding.

It is estimated that 17 buildings have collapsed, and more than 42,000 tents or temporary shelters have been completely or partially damaged since December 10, affecting at least 235,000 people.

For his part, the Agency’s Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, warned that recent gains in food security and nutritional status remain fragile. He added that although Gaza Governorate is no longer classified as suffering from famine, 1.6 million people still face high levels of acute food insecurity.

The Israeli army controls 50% of Gaza

Meanwhile, the Israeli army is still deployed in more than 50% of the Gaza Strip, outside the so-called“yellow line” What remains largely undefined on the ground, where access to humanitarian facilities and properties, public infrastructure and agricultural land remains severely restricted or prohibited.

UNRWA reported continued airstrikes, shelling and shooting throughout the Gaza Strip, with most incidents occurring around the “yellow line,” resulting in casualties and injuries.

By December 17, 70,668 Palestinians had been killed in the Gaza Strip, and another 171,152 people were injured, according to the Ministry of Health. Since the start of the ceasefire, 394 Palestinians have been killed and 1,075 injured, while 634 bodies have been recovered from under the rubble, according to the Ministry of Health.

UNRWA teams also reported with concern that the “yellow line” had been moved westward over the past week in various parts of the Gaza Strip, impeding access to the Agency’s main installations.

According to the “NGO Access Overview” report, prepared based on reports from 45 international and Palestinian NGOs, nearly $50 million worth of life-saving aid is being prevented from reaching Gaza, and this figure does not include UNRWA food and shelter supplies stored outside the Strip.

It should be noted that UNRWA has recorded the killing of 309 of its employees in Gaza since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, in addition to 73 people who were supporting UNRWA activities.