UN warns of deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza amid Israel's tightened siege

By Rasa Evrensel

ISTANBUL (AA) – The UN warned on Saturday of a deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, amid Israel's tightened siege and an increasing death toll from its military attacks.

“Every minute, and every hour, the situation is getting worse in Gaza,” the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said in a statement posted on social media platform X.

“Thousands of people- including our colleagues- are being killed from bombs & strikes," it added.

Over 100 UNRWA employees have been killed in Israel's ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.

UN flags were lowered to half-mast at UN offices around the world on Monday to mourn and honor the over 100 UNRWA staff members killed in Gaza in recent weeks.

"Soon, more will die from consequences of the imposed siege,” the UNRWA said in a separate statement.

The UN agency stressed that a "cease-fire is crucial to saving what remains of our humanity."

Earlier on Saturday, the Israeli army bombed a UNRWA-affiliated school in northern Gaza, where thousands of displaced civilians are living, killing and injuring dozens of people.

Since Israel started bombarding Gaza on Oct. 7, more than 12,000 Palestinians have been killed, including over 8,300 women and children, and more than 30,000 others have been injured, according to the latest figures.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques, and churches, have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel’s relentless air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave.

An Israeli blockade has also cut Gaza off from fuel, electricity, and water supplies, and reduced aid deliveries to a trickle.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.