Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner general of the UN relief agency for Palestinians, Unrwa, has reported devastating conditions in northern Gaza after three weeks of “non-stop” Israeli bombardments. With shortages of water, food, and medical care, dead bodies left under rubble have left the territory with the “smell of death” everywhere. Lazzarini called for an immediate truce to allow Palestinian families to flee safely and save civilian lives.
Unrwa provides aid to millions of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and the agency has been the backbone of operations in Gaza since last October. The ongoing conflict has led to widespread destruction and displacement, with accusations that Israel is forcibly displacing the remaining population.
The war between Israel and Hamas has had a devastating impact on the Palestinian economy, leaving nearly all of Gaza’s population in poverty with severe disruptions to health and education services. The cost of repairing infrastructure is estimated at billions of dollars, and it will take at least a decade for economic output to recover to pre-war levels.
The situation in Gaza continues to escalate, with airstrikes causing mass casualties and widespread devastation. International efforts are being made to seek a ceasefire and provide humanitarian aid to the affected population. Displaced Palestinians are facing dire conditions, with urgent assistance needed to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
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