Gaza, MINA – The United Nations issued a stark warning on Wednesday, stating that Israel continues to “heavily” restrict the entry of essential shelter materials into the Gaza Strip, leaving hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians vulnerable to catastrophic flooding as the rainy season intensifies.
Speaking at a news conference, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric highlighted the imminent danger, revealing that over 900 of the approximately 1,500 identified sites across Gaza which house hundreds of thousands of people whose homes have been damaged or destroyed that are at risk of flooding.
While eight temporary relocation sites have been established, Dujarric emphasized that humanitarian partners lack the necessary tools to provide durable shelter.
“The entry of these supplies continues to be heavily restricted, and they’re difficult to find on the local markets,” he stated, specifying the critical need for toolkits, timber, cement for repairs, and heavy machinery to clear rubble and create space for dignified housing.
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The UN reiterated its call for a sustained and predictable flow of aid, including fuel, through more open crossings to allow humanitarian operations to scale up effectively.
This warning comes against the backdrop of ongoing ceasefire violations since October, which have resulted in the deaths of 618 Palestinians and injuries to 1,663 others.
These recent casualties add to the staggering toll of Israel’s genocidal war launched on October 8, 2023, which has killed over 72,000 Palestinians, wounded more than 171,000, and destroyed approximately 90% of the territory’s civilian infrastructure.[]
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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