In the midst of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, the situation for families in Gaza has become increasingly dire. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the death toll in Israel from attacks by Palestinian armed groups, as well as in Gaza due to Israeli bombardments, continues to rise. This has led to a significant increase in mass displacement throughout the enclave.
Since the start of the current conflict on October 7, over 260,000 people in Gaza, which accounts for more than a tenth of the population, have been forced to flee their homes. The numbers are rapidly increasing, placing a tremendous strain on the already vulnerable population. To seek shelter, more than 175,000 individuals have sought refuge in schools run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). UNRWA, which has a dedicated staff of 13,000 in Gaza, is working tirelessly to support those affected by the conflict.
Tragically, UNRWA has reported that the death toll among its employees has risen to nine. This highlights the urgent need to prioritize the protection of civilians in the midst of the conflict. Various senior UN officials, including the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, are actively engaging with the parties involved in the conflict and key stakeholders.
