Unrwa Decries Unprecedented Human Catastrophe In Gaza

The United Nations (UN) agency dedicated to supporting Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, issued a stark warning on Sunday, decrying the dire situation in the Gaza Strip as an "unprecedented human catastrophe." Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of UNRWA, delivered this grave assessment, underscoring the severe consequences of Israel's ongoing strikes in the Palestinian territory. Lazzarini revealed that for the past eight days, Gaza had been subjected to a complete blockade, with no water, wheat, or fuel allowed into the territory. He emphasized the alarming reality that UNRWA's humanitarian assistance efforts in Gaza had been paralyzed. "In fact, Gaza is being strangled, and it seems the war right now has lost its humanity," Lazzarini declared. He stressed the crucial significance of water as a basic necessity for life and highlighted that Gaza is rapidly running out of this vital resource, thereby jeopardizing the lives of its inhabitants. Israel's Energy Minister, Israel Katz, announced earlier that water supply to southern Gaza was being resumed as part of an effort to encourage the civilian population to move to the southern part of the territory. This decision followed discussions between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden. The resumption of water supply in southern Gaza was later confirmed by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. The municipality of Beni Suheila, located in southern Gaza, also reported the restoration of water supply to the village. The Gaza conflict has exacted a devastating toll, with at least 2,670 people killed, including civilians, amid Israel's intense air assault. The situation in the region is deeply concerning, with an estimated one million people displaced during the first seven days of the conflict, as reported by UNRWA earlier on Sunday. The urgency for a ceasefire and diplomatic efforts to end the crisis has never been more pronounced.