Woman taking shelter in an UNRWA school in Rafah after heavy rain and flooding, 14 November 2023. (Credit: Ashraf Amra/UNRWA)
BEIRUT — UNRWA released its 33rd situation report on the situation in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Here are the main key points:
–In total, 104 UN staff have been killed since the beginning of the war. This is the highest number of United Nations aid workers killed in a conflict in the history of the United Nations.
–Almost 1.7 million people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7.
–Tens of internally displaced people (IDP) were killed, and others were injured as a result of Israeli strikes on several UNRWA schools housing displaced Gazans across the strip.
–UNRWA schools are accommodating far more people than their intended capacity. They are not designed to host such a large number of people and do not have adequate facilities to provide safe and dignified living conditions. The overcrowding is leading to the significant spread of diseases, including acute respiratory illness and diarrhea, raises environmental and health issues and limits the Agency’s ability to provide services.
–On Nov. 18, the Israeli Authorities authorized the entry of 120,000 liters of fuel that will be used over two days and will only cover half of the daily critical needs. UNRWA has been informed that 120,000 liters of fuel will be delivered every two days.
–Fuel is also critical for telecommunications networks. Gaza endured a fourth communications blackout on Friday, Nov. 17. As a result, UNRWA was not able to transport trucks of humanitarian assistance arriving via Egypt.
–Over 1,600 students in UNRWA's four schools in the Jenin refugee camp, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank, are still unable to safely access school premises due to the bad condition of the roads. Schools continue to operate through blended learning.