United Nations, January 6 (RHC)-- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) issued a grave warning this Sunday, reporting the death of seven Palestinian babies in recent days due to harsh winter conditions and lack of shelter in the Gaza Strip.
UNRWA has stated that "newborns are dying from hypothermia in the Gaza Strip due to the winter cold and lack of shelter, while supplies that could protect them have been stranded in the region for months, awaiting approval for entry by Israeli authorities."
Louise Wateridge, UNRWA spokesperson, shared a heartbreaking account of the despair of the affected families: "I have seen a woman scream in absolute despair and horror because her son had died in an attack in the supposed humanitarian zone." Her daughter, paralyzed, lay on a nearby bed."
Moreover, the situation in Gaza worsens following the World Health Organization's (WHO) report on the Israeli attack on Kamal Aduan Hospital on December 27, which has left this healthcare facility without services. The WHO has documented at least 50 attacks on health centers in that area since October.
The UNRWA report also highlights the devastation in Gaza's fishing sector, citing data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (FAO). Average daily catches have fallen to 7.3% of the levels reached in 2022, indicating a severe impact on the local economy.
On the other hand, between December 1 and 29, only 2,205 trucks were authorized to enter Gaza, which averages to 76 per day, far below the 500 trucks that crossed the border before the war began. In response, the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli military authority, has accused the UN of publishing "completely false information" about the number of aid trucks entering Gaza, stating that more than 5,000 trucks were authorized in December, approximately 185 daily.
UNRWA continues to urge the international community to act urgently to ensure the safety and well-being of the Palestinian population in Gaza, after months of conflict and human suffering.
