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AMMAN — UNRWA has said that only six of its 22 centres in the war-torn Gaza Strip are operating due to Israeli bombardment of the tiny Palestinian territory.
The Palestinian refugee agency said in a statement on Tuesday that basic medical supplies are “extremely scarce,” stressing the urgent need for the unimpeded delivery of life-saving aid into the besieged Strip.
“Since March 2, Israeli authorities have closed all crossings into Gaza to food, relief, medical supplies, and commercial goods, severely worsening the humanitarian situation,” UNRWA said.
UN chief Antonio Guterres said "Palestinians in Gaza are enduring what may be the cruelest phase of this cruel conflict", adding that Israel "must agree to allow and facilitate" humanitarian deliveries.
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said Friday that the UN had brought in 500 to 600 per day on average during a six-week ceasefire that broke down in March.
"No one should be surprised let alone shocked at scenes of precious aid looted, stolen or 'lost'," he said on X platform, adding that "the people of Gaza have been starved" for more than 11 weeks.
The health ministry in Gaza said on Sunday that at least 3,785 people had been killed in the territory since a ceasefire collapsed on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 53,939, mostly civilians.