Gaza on brink of massive health hazard, warns UN

By Yakut Dandashi

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Gaza Strip is on the brink of a massive health hazard amid an ongoing siege, according to the commissioner-general of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

Speaking to reporters in Jerusalem, Philippe Lazzarini warned on Friday that water, food, and medicine are running out in Gaza.

Lazzarini went on to say that he warned a few days ago that UNRWA would not be able to resume its humanitarian aid work if fuel supplies were not allowed into the enclave.

He stated that the few aid trucks allowed into the Gaza Strip are not enough and a cease-fire needs to be ensured amid the total collapse of the health sector.

According to the official, at least 57 UNRWA staff members have been killed since Oct. 07.

Lazzarini said that UNRWA follows solid mechanisms to ensure that aid does not fall into the wrong hands.

The conflict in Gaza began when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood – a multi-pronged surprise attack on Oct. 7 that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched a relentless bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Nearly 8,500 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,028 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat